PEIVATE  LIBEAR1 

/^^<-^^M. 

No. 

VIDOCQ 


THE  FRENCH  POLICE  SPY 


WRITTEN    BY    HIMSELF 


NEW   YORK 
GEORGE   ROUTLEDGE  &  SONS 

9  LAFAYETTE  PLACE 


PREFACE. 


As  a  piece  of  Autobiography  the  present  work  has  many  peculiar 
characteristics  which  stamp  it  as  one  of  the  most  interesting  and 
powerful  narratives  ever  penned.  Replete  with  astonishing 
incident,  it  affords  for  the  lovers  of  *  sensational '  reading  all  that 
the  wildest  taste  could  desire  of  hair-breadth  escapes,  imminent 
dangers,  and  thrilling  horrors ;  for  the  admirers  of  fun,  there  are 
sketches  as  comic  as  humour  can  devise ;  while  for  the  reflective 
reader,  disposed  to  search  into  the  motives,  and  to  philosophize 
on  the  wit  or  weakness,  power  or  puerility,  of  the  human  mind, 
ample  scope  will  be  found  in  these  instructive  pages  for  the 
exercise  of  his  meditation.  Marvellous  as  many  of  the  personal 
deeds  and  perils  of  Vidocq  may  be  deemed  by  some  readers,  it 
is  only  fair  and  just  to  bear  in  mind  that  his  veracity  has  never 
been  impugned,  although  many  of  the  persons  whom  he  has 
handled  with  severity,  and  spoken  of  in  no  measured  terms,  were 
living  for  several  years  after  the  first  appearance  of  his  Memoirs, 
and  would,  doubtless,  have  been  too  happy  to  refute  the  charges 
alleged  against  them,  did  not  truth  forbid  denial.  Of  his  wonder- 
ful and  multiplied  escapes  and  adventures,  it  may  be  also  safely 
asserted,  that  no  man  in  his  senses  would  attempt  to  give  fictitious 

",X<J2t 


iw  PREFACE. 

descriptions,  abounding  in  minute  details,  of  what  could  be  easily 
disproved,  if  false. 

In  translating  these  Memoirs,  we  have  thought  it  needful  to 
omit  or  soften  down  pruriencies  offensive  to  English  taste,  as  well 
as  to  suppress  all  such  matter  as  appeared  to  us  to  be  foreign  to 
the  nature  of  the  work  as  an  Autobiography,  or  in  any  way 
calculated  to  interrupt  the  continuous  thread  of  its  history. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I.  PAGE 

My  birth— T  become  a  journeyman  baker— First  theft— Stolen  plate  —Prison 
— Quit  Arras,  and  seek  a  ship — M.  Comus,  the  great  physician—  I  enter 
a  company  of  rope-dancers—Punch  and  the  Theatre  of  Y.irict  ic-;  —A  scene 
of  jealousy — I  enter  the  service  of  a  quack  doctor — Return  home — Ac- 
quaintance with  an  actress—  Another  chase — I  join  a  regiment — Deser- 
tion— I  go  over  to  the  enemy — A  flogging — Return  to  my  old  standard 
— A  domestic  robbery — Wounded  in  a  duel-- 1  join  the  war  -  -  9 

CHAPTER  II. 

Joseph  Lcbon— Orchestra  of  the  guillotine.— The  aristocr.u  parrot— The 
Sans  Culottes — Imprisonment — Gaoler  i  M.  <le  Bethune —  I 

get  my  lil>crly — I   am  made  an  officer — The  quarters  of  St.  Sylvestrc 
Capelle—  The  revolutionary  army — Retaking  of   a  vessel  — I    marry — 

Anothei  visit  to  the  Baudets — My  emancipation 24 

CHAPTER  III. 
els— A  forger — The  roving  array — The  baroness  and  the  baker-boy 

— Arrival  at  Paris        •  35 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Gypsies— A  Flemish  fair— Return  to  Lille — The  Bull's-eye — Sentence  of 

punishment— St.  Peter's  tower — A  forgery 47 

CHAPTER  V. 

Three  escapes — The  Chauffeurs — The  suicide — I  am  accused  of  assassina- 
tion— Fresh  escape — Ostend — Smugglers — I  am  retaken  -  -  -  56 

CHAPTER  VI. 
The  pewter  keys— A  hussar — Retaken  and  condemned  ...  -  70 

CHAFFER  VII. 

Departure  from  Douai— Revolt  of  prisoners  in  the  forest  of  Compiegne 
—The  Bicetre— The  madhouse 82 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Captain  Viez  and  Lieut.  Thierry — Complaint  of  the  galley-slaves — The 
galley-sergeants  encourage  plundering — Useless  attempt  to  escape— 
The  Bagne  at  Brest— Another  escape 92 

CHAPTER  IX. 
Pursuit  of  the  galley-slave — The  hospital — The  mother  of  robbers  -  •  loo 

CHAPTER  X. 
Cholet— Arrival  at  Paris— Captain  Villedieu.  -  •  •  •  •  -  IIO 


vi  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XI.  PAGB 

Journey  to  Arras— Father  Lambert— Depart  for  Holland— The  mutiny- 
Catastrophe  121 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Re-imprisoned  at  Douai — Am  I  Duval  or  Vidocq  ? — Again  at  Bicetre — 
Captain  Labbre— Toulon— Jossas,  the  robber  Marquis  St.  Armand — 
The  executioner  of  the  Bagne 129 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Father  Mathieu— My  new  line  of  business — Ecce  Homo,  or  the  psalm- 
seller — A  fugitive  convict — My  best  contrived  escape— The  gay  lady  and 

the  burial — I  detect  a  thief— I  get  my  dismissal 144 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

A  receiver  of  stolen  goods — First  treaty  with  the  police — Departure  for  Lyons  156 
CHAPTER  XV. 

Again  at  Arras — Disguises — Rouen — My  Arrest 163 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
Camp  of  Boulogne— Recruiters  of  the  ancien  regime— M.  Belle-Rose          -  171 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

The  daughters  of  Mere  Thomas — The  Silver  Lion — Captain  Paulet — The 
pirates — The  bombardment — Lord  Lauderdale — I  embark — Sea-fight — 
Capture  of  a  brig-of-war — I  change  my  name — Death  of  Dufailli — A 
frigate  sunk -  -  -  -  188 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

I  enter  the  marine  artillery — Become  a  corporal — Secret  military  societies 
— 'The  Olympians'— Singular  duels — I  am  betrayed,  and  again  in 
prison— Piedmontese  bandit — Four  murderers  set  at  liberty  -  -  -  212 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Sent  to  Douai — My  wife  re-marries — I  travel  as  an  officer,  and  go  to 
Paris — The  commissary  of  Melun— Execution  of  Herbaux — A  robber 
denounces  me — Galley-slaves  at  Auxerre — Two  fugitives  from  the  Bagne 

— My  wife  again — Receiving  stolen  goods 228 

CHAPTER  XX. 

My  wicker  car — Arrest  of  two  galley-slaves — Fearful  discovery — I  offer  to 
serve  the  police— My  concealment— Disguises— Chevalier  denounces  me 
— Annette — Passers  of  false  money — I  am  apprehended  and  sent  to  the 

Bicetre 240 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

Plan  of  escape — My  agreement  with  the  police — Coco-Lacour — A  band 
of  robbers — The  old  clothes-woman  and  the  assassins  -  ...  254 

CHAPTER  XXII. 
M.  Henry,  'the  Evil  Spirit' — Bertaux  and  Parisot— My  first  capture — 

Arrest  of  Bouhin  and  Terrier 264 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

St.  Germain  proposes  to  me  a  murder— The  plunderers — The  grandson 
of  Cartouche — Annette  again  aids  me — Attempt  to  rob  the  house  of  a 
banker — I  am  said  to  be  killed — Arrest  of  St.  Germain  and  Boudin  -  267 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 
The  inspectors  betray  me  —A  receiver  of  stolen  goods  arrested  by  me        •  278 


CONTENTS.  vii 

CHAPTER  XXV.  PAGE 

Gueuvive's  gang— I  pass  for  a  fugitive  galley-slave,  and  engage  in  a 
plot  against  myself — Robbery  in  the  Rue  Cassette — Arrest  of  Gueuvive    •  282 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 
I  trip  up  GatTre — Thief  and  spy  incompatible  trades — Gaffre  again  -         -  287 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 
Destruction  of  three  classes  of  thieves— A  new  species— The  Brothers  Del/eve  295 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

More  thief-chasing— Another  'mother  of  robbers'— An  admirable  plot — 
Mother  Noel  sent  to  St.  Lazare 299 

R  XXIX. 

Vain  pursuit  of  a  robber  by  the  police — On  the  right  scent — I  become  a 
r.nian — Fright  of  a  vintner  and  his  wife  — Mademoiselle  Tonneau — A 
search— The  thief  takes  me  for  his  mate— The  jump  from  the  window   -  308 

CHAIMT.K   XXX. 

Guillotin— Double-Croche  and  the  chicken-coop—  The  Orientalists  and  the 
1  >nauts — The  muttunof  the  salt  inarches— The  cat's  tail — Riboulet  and 
.1  la  Blonde— The  little  black  father— The  Children  of  the  Sun     -  319 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 

A  frequenter  of  La  Petite  Chaise— A  nocturnal  abduction— The  jolly  thief 
— Fir»t  viMt  to  II:.'   ic— My  life  threatened — The  storm  appeased  -         -  328 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 

occurrence — The  swal'ows  of  La  Greve — Madame  Bras,  or  the 
scrupulous  shopkeeper— '  Vidocq  caught,' a  new  piece — I  play  the  part 
of  Vidocij— I  let  a  robber  escape-— Accusing  stocking*  and  cravat — Fight 
with  the  vintner— I  am  apprehended— My  deliverance  and  recognition  -  336 

CHAPIT.K  XXX I II. 

Saint  Cloud— The  aspiring  spy— The  Faubourg  Saint  Marceau— The  tur- 
key's claws— Explanation  of  the  word  Jraiffe — The  man  who  arrests 
himself— The  r.vw  Kpictetus — The  mistress  of  a  Russian  prince — Mother 
i  >le — The  invulnerable — The  picture  of  the  Sabines — The  lottery 
ticket  —  IVnelope — The  beautiful  mask — Louison  la  Blagncust — Kmilie 
in  the  I'u.i:  l-li  .u-e— Return  to  Bariole's — The  Sybil's  tripod  — Jo.-.e^hine 
Real — Three  arrests — The  traitor  punished 348 

i'TKR.  XXXIV. 

The  mania  for  turning  spy— Self-denounced  female  thief— The  treacherous 
^herwoman's    basket — The    stolen    child — The    modern 
Sappho — Liberty  not  the  first  of  blessings 371 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 

Our  friends  our  enemies— The  jeweller  and  the  clergyman— The  hiding- 
place  and  the  coffer — The  Cossicks  innocent — The  false  sol-lii  •—  The 
»ers  wife  at  Livry    -Local  reputation  —  I  am  a  Jew— My  p,l;.    i   ,;ige 
with  the  nun  of  Dounlans      My  m>  t;itnor;>hosis  into  a  German  servant — 
li'i'  '1 — The  church  rat  -The  flesh-colonred  coat— My  history 

— Bat'.le  of  Montereau — I  have  robbed  my  master — Projects  of  escape 
—Journey  to  Germany— The  black  hen— My  release — Flight  with  an 
unfortunate  companion— A  great  store  of  diamonds  .  »  •  378 


viii  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XXXVI.  PAQB 

The  stolen  looking-glasses — The  Turk  and  his  odalisques — General  Boucher 
— Little  Saint  Jean— The  grand  uniform,  and  the  banknotes — Capture  of 
twenty-two  thieves — What  it  is  to  be  knowing — The  almoner  of  the  regi- 
ment— Surprise  at  the  Cafe  Hardi — T  go  to  the  Tuileries — A  great  lord — 
The  director  of  the  police  of  the  Chateau — Assassination  of  the  Due  de 
Berri — The  robber-giant — A  scene  of  Madame  de   Genlis — I   become 
accoucheur — Baptismof  the  child — My  gossip  at  St.  Lazare — The  thieves' 
alley — The  dangerous  doctor — Old  friends — A  dinner  at  Capucin — The 
trap — The  Bohemians — An  exploit  at  a  duchess's — The  moral  hump- 
backed lady — Fair  of  Versailles — Disturbed  rest  of  a  milliner — Love 
and  tyranny — Scenes  of  jealousy — I  vanish  ......  388 

CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

The  jolly  butcher — A  murder — The  magistrates  of  Corbeil — Removal  of 
the  body — The  criminating  wound — I  hit  upon  the  right  man — Arrest 
of  a  suspected  pair — The  goguettes,  or  the  bards  of  the  Quai  du  Nord — 
I  become  a  scullion — Removal  to  the  prefecture — Confession — A  dealer 
in  poultry,  etc. — Somnambulism — The  guilty  parties  confronted — A 
supper  under  lock  and  key — Departure  from  Paris  -  -  -  -413 
CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

Arrival  at  Corbeil — Popular  legends— Poulailler  and  Captain  Picard — The 
dealer  in  turkeys— General  Beufort— Public  opinion  on  myself— Terror  of 
a  sous  prefet — Assassins  and  their  victim — Important  discoveries,  etc.    -  429 
CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

A  journey  to  the  frontiers — A  robber — Mother  Bardou— A  feigned  recogni- 
tion— The  false  smuggler — A  brigand  astonished — I  deliver  the  country 
from  a  scourge — Hercules  with  the  skin  of  a  bear  ....  435 

CHAPTER  XL. 

A  visit  to  Versailles — Resignation — A  criminal's  agony — Sleep  of  a  mur- 
derer— New  converts — They  invite  me  to  witness  their  execution — Reflec- 
tions on  a  gold  box — The  fatal  hour — The  Carline — The  crucifixes — I 
embrace  two  death's-heads— Spirit  of  vengeance — A  last  adieu— Eternity  442 


MEMOIRS    OF    VIDOCQ, 

THE  FRENCH  POLICE  SPY. 


CHAPTER  I. 

My  birth — I  become  a  journeyman  baker — First  theft — Stolen  plate — Prison 
Quit   Arras,  and  seek  a  ship — M.  Comus,  the  ^r<.\it   phyMciau   - 1   < 
company  of  rope-dancers  — I'unch  and  the  Theatie  uf  \'.nuiu->   -A  p 
jealousy — I  enter  the  service  of  a  quack  doctor — Return  home— Acquaint- 
ance with  an  actress—  Another  du>e — 1  join  a  I  \^\ 
over  to  the  enemy — A  flog^in^ — Return  to  my  old  standard — A  duiu     tic 
robbery — Wounded  in  a  duel--!  join  the  \ 

I  WAS  born  at  Arras  ;  my  continual  disguises,  the  flexibility  of  my 
features,  and  a  singular  power  of  grimacing,  having  cust  some 
doubt  concerning  my  age,  it  will  not  be  deemed  superfluous  to 
declare  here,  that  I  was  brought  into  the  world  on  the  23rd  of 
July,  1775,  in  a  house  adjoining  that  in  which  Robespierre  was 
born  sixteen  years  before.  It  was  night ;  the  rain  fell,  lightning 
flashed,  the  thunder  rolled ;  and  a  relation,  who  was  both  midwife 
and  fortune-teller,  predicted  that  my  career  would  be  a  stormy 
one 

However  that  may  be,  we  will  presume  that  the  sky  was  not 
troubled  on  my  special  account ;  and  although  there  is  always 
something  very  attractive  in  the  marvellous,  I  am  far  from  think- 
ing that  the  turbulence  of  the  elements  had  much  reference  to  my 
birth.  I  had  a  most  robust  constitution,  and  there  was  plenty  of 
me,  so  that  as  soon  as  I  was  born,  they  took  me  for  a  child  of  two 
years  of  age;  and  I  gave  tokens  of  that  athletic  figure,  that 
colossal  form,  which  have  since  struck  terror  into  the  most 
hardened  and  powerful  ruffians.  My  father's  house  being  situated 
in  the  Place  d'Armes,  the  constant  resort  of  all  the  blackguards 
of  the  vicinity,  I  had  my  muscular  powers  early  called  into  action, 


io  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

in  regularly  thrashing  my  comrades,  whose  parents  were  always 
complaining  of  me  to  my  father  and  mother.  At  home,  nothing 
was  talked  of  but  torn  ears,  black  eyes,  and  rent  garments ;  at  eight 
years  of  age,  I  was  the  terror  of  all  the  dogs,  cats,  and  children  of  the 
neighbourhood ;  at  thirteen  I  handled  a  foil,  with  no  little  skill 
and  address.  My  father,  preceiving  that  I  associated  chiefly  with 
the  military  of  the  garrison,  was  alarmed  for  me,  and  desired  me 
to  prepare  myself  for  the  first  receiving  of  the  communion  :  two 
devotees  undertook  to  prepare  me  for  this  solemn  duty.  God 
knows  what  fruit  I  have  gathered  from  their  lessons.  I  began  at 
the  same  time  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  baker,  which  was  my  father's 
business,  in  which  he  intended  that  I  should  succeed  him, 
although  I  had  an  elder  brother. 

My  employment  principally  consisted  in  carrying  bread  through 
the  city.  During  my  rounds,  I  made  frequent  visits  to  the 
fencing-rooms,  of  which  my  parents  were  not  long  in  ignorance ; 
but  the  cooks  all  gave  such  testimony  of  my  politeness  and  punc- 
tuality, that  they  winked  at  this  trifling  prank.  This  went  on  until 
they  discovered  a  deficiency  in  the  till,  of  which  they  never  took 
away  the  key.  My  brother,  who  visited  it  in  the  same  manner  as 
myself,  was  detected  in  the  very  act,  and  sent  off  in  a  hurry  to  a 
baker  at  Lille.  The  day  after  this  event,  which  had  not  been 
explained  to  me,  I  was  about  to  explore,  according  to  custom,  the 
convenient  drawer,  when  I  perceived  that  it  was  carefully  closed. 
The  same  day,  my  father  desired  me  to  use  more  alacrity  in  my 
rounds,  and  to  return  at  a  certain  hour.  It  was  then  evident  that 
from  this  day  forward  I  should  be  equally  deprived  of  liberty  and 
money.  I  bewailed  this  twofold  calamity,  and  hastened  to  impart 
it  to  a  comrade  named  Poyant,  older  than  myself.  As  a  hole  was 
cut  in  the  counter  to  drop  the  money  through,  he  first  advised  me 
to  introduce  a  feather  dipped  in  glue  ;  but  this  ingenious  expedient 
only  produced  me  very  small  pieces  of  money,  and  it  became 
necessary  for  me  to  employ  a  false  key,  which  was  made  for  me 
by  a  blacksmith's  son.  I  then  dipped  again  into  the  till,  and  we 
spent  together  the  fruits  of  these  pilferings  at  a  public-house, 
where  we  had  established  our  head-quarters.  There  assembled, 
attracted  by  the  master  of  the  house,  a  great  many  well-known 
rogues,  and  some  unfortunate  young  fellows,  who,  to  get  re- 
plenished pockets,  used  the  same  expedient  as  myself.  I  soon 
joined  the  society  of  the  most  abandoned  vagabonds  of  the 
country,  who  initiated  me  into  all  their  villainies.  Such  was  the 
honourable  society  in  the  bosom  of  which  I  spent  iny  leisure 
hours,  until  one  day  my  father  surprised  me,  as  he  had  done  my 
brother,  took  away  my  key.  heartily  thrashed  me,  and  took  such 


IN  PRISON.  1 1 

precautions  as  totally  cut  off  all  my  hopes  of  ever  again  getting  a 
dividend  from  the  receipts  therein  deposited. 

My  only  resource  was  now,  to  take  my  tithes  from  the  bakings. 
Occasionally  I  pilfered  a  loaf  or  two ;  but  as  in  disposing  of  them 
I  was  compelled  to  sell  them  very  cheaply,  I  scarcely  by  their  sale 
obtained  sufficient  to  regale  myself  with  tarts  and  honey.  Neces- 
sity makes  us  active  ;  I  had  an  eye  for  everything ;  all  was  agree- 
able to  me,  wine,  sugar,  coffee,  and  liquors.  My  mother  had 
never  known  her  provisions  to  disappear  so  quickly,  and  perhaps 
would  not  have  discovered  so  soon,  but  two  chickens  which  I  had 
resolved  on  disposing  of  to  my  own  peculiar  profit  raised  their 
voices  to  accuse  me.  Hid  in  my  breeches  pocket,  and  concealed 
by  my  baker's  apron,  they  thrust  out  their  heads  and  crowed :  and 
my  mother,  thus  informed  of  their  intended  fate,  came  out  to 
prevent  it.  She  gave  me  several  cuffs  of  the  head,  and  sent  me 
sun.ierless  to  bed.  I  did  not  sleep  a  wink,  and  it  was,  I  think,  the 
evil  spirit  that  kept  me  awake :  all  I  know  is,  that  I  rose  with  the 
determination  to  lay  hands  on  all  the  plate.  One  thing  alone 
gave  me  uneasiness.  On  each  piece  the  name  of  VIDCCQ  was  en- 
graved in  laige  letters.  Poyant,  to  whom  I  broached  the  matter, 
overruled  all  difficulties  :  and  the  same  day,  at  dinner  time,  I 
swept  off  ten  forks  and  as  many  coffee  spoons.  Twenty  minutes 
afterwards  the  whole  was  pawned,  and  the  next  day  I  had  not  a 
farthing  left  of  the  hundred  and  fifty  francs,  which  they  lent  me 
on  them. 

I  did  not  return  home  for  three  days,  and  on  the  third  evening 
I  was  arrested  by  two  police  officers,  who  conveyed  me  to  the 
Baudets,  a  place  in  which  mad  persons  are  confined,  together 
with  those  committed  for  trial,  and  the  rogues  of  the  district.  I 
was  kept  in  a  dungeon  for  ten  days,  without  being  told  the  cause 
of  my  arrest,  and  then  the  gaoler  told  me  that  I  had  been  im- 
prisoned at  the  desire  of  my  father.  This  information  a  little  com- 
me  :  it  was  a  paternal  correction  that  was  inflicted  on  me, 
and  I  accordingly  judged  that  its  continuance  would  not  be  rigor- 
ous. My  mother  came  to  see  me  the  next  day,  and  I  was  pardoned. 
Four  days  afterwards  I  was  set  at  liberty,  and  I  returned  to  work  with 
a  determination  and  promise  of  henceforward  conducting  myself 
irreproachably.  Vain  resolve  !  I  soon  resumed  my  old  habits, 
except  extravagance  ;  and  I  had  excellent  reasons  for  no  more  play- 
ing the  prodigal,  for  my  father,  who  had  before  been  rather  care- 
less and  regardless,  now  exercised  a  vigilance  that  would  have 
done  credit  to  the  commandant  of  an  advanced  guard.  If  he  left 
the  post  at  the  counter,  my  mother  relieved  guard ;  it  was  im- 
possible for  me  to  approach  it,  although  I  was  conslantly  on  the 


12  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

look  out.  This  put  me  in  despair.  At  last  one  of  my  tavern 
companions  took  pity  on  me ;  it  was  Poyant  again,  that  thorough 
rogue,  of  whose  abilities  in  this  way  the  citizens  of  Arras  may  still 
preserve  the  memory.  I  confided  my  sorrows  to  his  friendly 
bosom.  'What  a  precious  fool  you  are,'  said  he,'  to  remain  thus ; 
and  what  business  has  a  lad  of  your  age  to  be  short  of  a  farthing  ? 
Ah !  were  I  in  your  place,  I  know  what  I  would  do.' — '  Well, 
what?' — 'Your  parents  are  rich,  and  a  thousand  crowns,  more  or 
less,  would  not  hurt  them.  The  old  misers  !  they  are  fair  game, 
and  we  must  carry  it  off.' — '  I  understand,  we  must  grasp  at  once 
what  we  cannot  get  in  detail.' — '  You're  right ;  and  then  we  will  be 
off,  neither  seen  nor  known.' — 'Yes,  but  the  police?' — 'Hold  your 
tongue ;  are  you  not  their  son  ?  and  your  mother  is  too  fond  for 
that.'  This  consideration  of  my  mother's  love,  united  to  the  re- 
membrance of  her  indulgence  after  my  late  freaks,  was  powerfully 
persuasive;  I  blindly  adopted  a  project  which  smiled  on  my 
audacity ;  it  only  remained  to  put  it  in  execution,  and  an  oppor- 
tunity was  not  long  wanting. 

One  evening  whilst  my  mother  was  at  home  alone,  a  confidant 
of  Poyant  came  kindly  to  tell  her,  that,  engaged  in  a  debauch  with 
some  girls,  I  was  fighting  everybody,  and  breaking  and  destroying 
everything  in  the  house,  and  that,  if  I  were  not  stopped,  there 
would  be  at  least  a  hundred  francs  to  pay  for  the  damage  done. 

At  this  moment  my  mother  was  seated  in  her  chair  knitting ;  the 
stockings  dropped  from  her  hand,  she  arose  with  haste,  and  ran 
with  great  alarm  to  the  place  of  the  pretended  affray,  which  had  been 
fixed  on  at  the  extremity  of  the  city.  Her  absence  could  not  be  of 
long  continuance,  and  we  hastened  to  profit  by  it.  A  key  which 
I  had  stolen  from  the  old  lady  procured  us  admittance  into  the 
shop.  The  till  was  closed ;  I  was  almost  glad  to  meet  with  this 
obstacle.  I  recalled  the  memory  of  my  mother's  love  for  me,  not 
as  an  inducement  to  commit  the  act  with  impunity,  but  as  ex- 
citing feelings  of  coming  remorse.  I  was  going  to  retire ;  Poyant 
held  me,  his  infernal  eloquence  made  me  blush  for  what  he  called 
my  weakness ;  and  when  he  presented  me  with  a  crowbar,  with 
which  he  had  the  precaution  to  provide  himself,  I  seized  it  almost 
with  enthusiasm  ;  the  chest  was  forced  ;  it  contained  nearly  2,000 
francs  (upwards  of  ;£8o),  which  we  shared,  and  half  an  hour  after- 
wards I  was  alone  on  the  road  to  Lille.  In  the  trouble  which  this 
affair  threw  me  into,  I  walked  at  first  very  quickly,  so  that  when  I 
reached  Lens  I  was  much  fatigued  A  return  chaise  passed,  into 
which  I  got,  and  in  less  than  three  hours  arrived  at  the  capital  of 
French  Flanders,  whence  I  immediately  started  for  Dunkirk,  being 
excessively  anxious  to  place  myself  beyond  the  reach  of  pursuit 


SEEKING  A  SHIP.  13 

I  had  resolved  on  visiting  the  new  world  My  fate  forbade  this 
project.  The  port  of  Dunkirk  was  empty ;  I  reached  Calais,  in- 
tending to  embark  immediately,  but  they  asked  me  more  than  the 
whole  sum  in  my  possession.  I  was  induced  to  hope  that  at 
Ostend  the  fare  would  be  less ;  and  on  going  there  found  the 
captains  not  more  reasonable  than  at  Calais.  Thus  disappointed, 
I  fell  into  that  adventurous  disposition  which  induces  us  to  throw 
ourselves  voluntarily  into  the  arms  of  the  first  enterprise  that  offers. 
Whilst  I  was  walking,  I  was  accosted  by  a  person  whose  benevolent 
appearance  gave  me  rather  a  favourable  impression  of  him.  The 
first  words  he  addressed  to  me  were  questions.  He  had  learnt 
that  I  was  a  stranger;  he  told  me  that  he  was  a  ship-broker;  and 
when  he  learnt  the  cause  of  my  coming  to  Ostend,  he  offered  his 
services.  '  Your  countenance  pleases  me,'  said  he,  *  I  like  an  open 
face ;  there  is  in  your  features  the  air  of  frankness  and  joviality, 
which  I  like,  and  1  will  prove  it  to  you  by  procuring  for  you  a 
.1$.  for  almost  nothing.'  I  spoke  of  my  gratitude.  'No 
thanks,  my  friend,  that  will  be  soon  enough  when  your  business  is 
completed,  which  I  hope  will  be  soon ;  but  surely  you  will  be  tired 
of  waiting  about  in  this  manner?*  I  said  that  certainly  I  was  not 
very  much  amused.  *  If  you  will  accompany  me  to  Blakemberg,  we 
will  sup  there  together,  with  some  jolly  fellows,  who  are  very  fond 
of  Frenchmen.'  The  broker  was  so  polite,  and  asked  me  so 
cordially,  that  I  thought  it  would  be  ungentlemanly  to  refuse,  and 
therefore  accepted  his  invitation.  He  conducted  me  to  a  house 
where  some  very  agreeable  young  ladies  welcomed  us  with  all  that 
ancient  hospitality  which  did  not  confine  itself  only  to  feasting. 
At  midnight,  probably — I  say  probably,  for  we  took  no  account  of 
hours — my  head  became  heavy,  and  my  legs  would  no  longer 
support  me;  there  was  around  me  a  complete  chaos,  and  things 
whirled  in  such  a  manner,  that  without  preceiving  that  they  had 
undressed  me,  I  thought  I  was  stripped  to  my  shirt  in  the  same 
bed  with  one  of  the  Blakembergian  nymphs ;  it  might  be  true, 
but  all  that  I  know  is,  that  I  soon  fell  soundly  asleep.  On  waking 
I  found  myself  cold ;  instead  of  the  large  green  curtains,  which 
had  appeared  to  me  in  my  sleep,  my  heavy  eyes  only  gazed  on  a 
forest  of  masts,  and  I  heard  the  watchful  cry  which  only  echoes  in 
the  sea-ports.  I  endeavoured  to  rise,  and  my  hand  touched  a  heap 
of  cordage,  against  which  I  was  leaning.  Did  I  dream,  then,  or 
had  I  dreamt  the  previous  evening  ?  I  felt  about,  I  got  up,  and 
when  on  my  feet  I  found  that  I  did  not  dream,  and  what  was 
worse,  that  I  was  not  one  of  the  small  number  of  those  personages 
whom  fortune  favours  whilst  sleeping.  I  was  half  naked,  and 
except  two  crowns  and  six  livres,  which  I  found  in  one  of  my 


14  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ, 

breeches  pockets,  I  was  pennyless.  It  was  then  but  too  clear  of 
me,  as  the  broker  had  said,  '  my  business  had  soon  been  done.'  I 
was  greatly  enraged,  but  what  did  that  avail  me?  I  was  even 
unable  to  point  out  the  spot  where  I  had  been  thus  plundered.  I 
made  up  my  mind  and  returned  to  the  inn,  where  I  had  some 
clothes  which  remedied  the  deficiencies  of  my  attire.  I  had  no 
occasion  to  tell  my  misfortune  to  the  landlord.  *  Ah,  ah  !'  said  he 
to  me,  as  far  off  as  he  could  see  me,  '  here  comes  another.  Do 
you  know,  young  man,  that  you  have  got  off  well  ?  You  return 
with  all  your  limbs,  which  is  lucky  when  one  gets  into  such  a 
hornet's  nest ;  you  now  know  what  a  land  shark  is ;  they  were  cer- 
tainly beautiful  sirens !  All  pirates  are  not  on  the  sea,  you 
observe,  nor  all  the  sharks  within  it ;  I  will  wager  that  they  have 
not  left  you  a  farthing.'  I  drew  my  two  crowns  from  my  pocket 
to  show  them  to  the  innkeeper.  'That  will  be,'  said  he,  'just 
enough  to  pay  your  bill,'  which  he  then  presented.  I  paid  it  and 
took  leave  of  him,  without,  however,  quitting  the  city. 

The  sea  was  open  to  me  as  a  profession,  and  I  resolved  to 
betroth  myself  to  it,  at  the  risk  of  breaking  my  neck  thirty  times 
a  day,  by  climbing,  for  eleven  francs  a  month,  up  the  rigging  of  a 
ship.  I  was  ready  to  enter  like  a  novice,  when  the  sound  of  a 
trumpet  suddenly  arrested  my  attention ;  it  was  not  that  of  a 
regiment,  but  of  Paillasse  (Merry-Andrew)  and  his  master,  who, 
in  front  of  a  show  bedecked  with  the  emblem  of  an  itinerant 
menagerie,  were  awaiting  the  mob,  which  never  hisses  the  vulgar 
exhibitions.  I  saw  the  beginning ;  and  whilst  a  large  crowd  was 
testifying  its  gratification  by  loud  shouts  of  laughter,  it  occurred  to 
me  that  the  master  of  Paillasse  might  give  me  employment. 
Paillasse  appeared  to  me  a  good  fellow,  and  I  was  desirous  of 
securing  his  protection  ;  and  as  I  knew  that  one  good  turn  deserves 
another,  when  he  got  down  from  his  platform,  on  saying  ' 'follow  the 
crowd,'  thinking  that  he  might  be  thirsty,  I  devoted  my  last 
shilling  in  offering  him  half  a  pint  of  gin.  Paillasse,  sensible  of 
this  politeness,  promised  instantly  to  speak  for  me,  and  as  soon  as 
our  half-pint  was  finished,  he  presented  me  to  the  director.  He 
was  the  famous  Cotte-Comus  :  he  called  himself  the  first  physician 
of  the  world,  and  in  traversing  the  country,  had  united  his  talents 
to  those  of  the  naturalist  Gamier,  the  learned  preceptor  of  General 
Jacquot,  whom  all  Paris  saw  in  the  square  of  the  Fountains  before 
and  after  the  Revolution.  These  gentlemen  had  with  them  a  troop 
of  rope-dancers.  Comus,  as  soon  as  I  appeared  before  him,  asked 
me  what  I  could  do.  'Nothing,' said  I.  4  In  that  case,' said  he, 
'  they  will  teach  you  :  there  are  greater  fools  than  you,  and  then, 
besides,  you  have  not  a  clumsy  appearance.  We  shall  see  if  you 


A  COMPANY  OF  ROPE-DANCERS.  15 

have  a  taste  for  the  stage  ;  then  I  will  engage  you  for  two  years ; 
the  first  six  months  you  shall  be  well  fed,  and  clothed ;  at  the  end 
of  that  time  you  shall  have  a  sixteenth  of  the  profits ;  and  the 
year  following,  if  you  are  bright,  I  will  give  you  a  share  like  the 
others  ;  in  the  meantime,  my  friend,  I  will  find  occupation  for  you.' 

Thus  was  I  introduced,  and  then  went  to  partake  of  the  flock- 
bed  of  the  obliging  Merry-Andrew.  At  the  break  of  day  we  were 
awakened  by  the  sonorous  voice  of  our  master,  who,  leading  me  to 
a  kind  of  small  room,  said,  whilst  showing  me  the  lamps  and 
wooden  chandeliers — '  There  is  your  employment,  you  must  clean 
these  and  put  them  in  proper  order  ;  do  you  understand  ?  And 
afterwards  you  must  clean  out  the  cages  of  the  animals,  and  brush 
the  floors.'  I  went  about  my  job,  which  did  not  greatly  please  me  : 
the  tallow  disgusted  me,  and  I  was  not  quite  at  my  ease  with  the 
monkeys,  who,  enraged  to  see  a  fool  to  whom  they  were  not 
accustomed,  made  inconceivable  efforts  to  tear  my  eyes  out.  But 
I  yielded  to  iron  necessity.  My  duty  performed,  I  appeared 
before  the  director,  who  said  that  I  was  an  apt  pupil,  and  that  if  I 
was  assiduous  he  would  do  something  for  me.  I  rose  early,  and 
was  very  hungry  ;  it  was  ten  o'clock,  but  no  signs  of  breakfast  were 
visible,  and  yet  it  was  agreed  that  I  should  have  bed  and  board.  I 
was  sinking  from  want,  when  they  gave  me  a  piece  of  brown  bread, 
so  hard,  that  being  unable  to  get  through  with  it,  although  gifted 
with  sharp  teeth,  and  a  famous  appetite,  I  threw  the  greater  portion 
amongst  the  animals.  I  was  obliged  to  light  up  in  the  evening, 
and  as,  from  want  of  practice,  I  did  not  evince  in  my  occupation 
all  possible  despatch,  the  director,  who  was  a  brute,  administered 
to  me  a  slight  correction,  which  he  renewed  the  next  and  following 
days.  A  month  had  not  elapsed,  before  I  was  in  a  wretched  con- 
dition ;  my  clothes,  spotted  with  grease  and  torn  by  the  monkeys, 
were  in  rags  ;  I  was  devoured  by  vermin ;  hard  diet  had  made 
me  so  thin,  that  no  one  would  have  recognised  me ;  and  then  it 
was  that  there  arose  in  all  imaginable  bitterness  the  regrets  for 
my  paternal  home,  where  good  food,  soft  bed,  and  excellent 
clothing  were  mine,  and  where  I  had  no  monkeys  to  make  clean 
and  feed. 

I  was  in  this  mood,  when  one  morning  Comus  told  me  that 
after  due  consideration  he  was  convinced  that  I  should  make  an 
admirable  tumbler.  He  then  placed  me  under  the  tuition  of 
Sieur  Balmate,  called  the  '  little  devil,'  with  orders'  to  train  me. 
My  master  just  escaped  breaking  my  loins  at  the  first  bend  which 
he  compelled  me  to  make.  I  took  two  or  three  lessons  daily.  In 
less  than  three  weeks,  I  was  able  to  execute  with  much  skill  the 
monkey's  leap,  the  drunkard's  leap,  the  coward's  leap,  etc.  My 


16  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

teacher,  delighted  at  my  progress,  took  pains  to  forward  me;  a 
hundred  times  I  thought  that  in  developing  my  powers  he  would 
dislocate  my  limbs.  At  length  we  reached  the  difficulties  of  the 
art,  which  became  more  and  more  complicated.  At  my  first 
attempt  at  the  grand  fling,  I  nearly  split  myself  in  two ;  and  in  the 
chair-leap,  I  broke  my  nose.  Bruised,  maimed,  and  tired  of  so 
perilous  a  business,  I  determined  on  telling  Comus  that  I  had  no 
desire  to  become  a  vaulter.  '  Oh,  you  do  not  like  it/  said  he,  and 
without  objecting  to  my  refusal,  gave  me  a  sound  thumping.  I 
then  left  Balmate  entirely  and  returned  to  my  lamps. 

Comus  had  given  me  up,  and  it  was  now  for  Gamier  to  give  me 
a  turn.  One  day,  after  having  beaten  me  more  than  usual  (for  he 
shared  this  pleasing  office  with  Comus),  Gamier,  measuring  me 
from  head  to  foot,  and  viewing  with  a  marked  delight  the  dilapi- 
dation of  my  doublet,  through  which  my  flesh  was  visible,  said  to 
me,  '  I  like  you  :  you  have  reached  the  point  that  pleases  me. 
Now,  if  you  are  obedient  it  remains  with  yourself  to  be  happy : 
from  to-day  you  must  let  your  nails  grow  ;  your  hair  is  already  of 
a  sufficient  length  ;  you  are  nearly  naked,  and  a  decoction  of 
walnut-tree  leaves  will  do  the  rest'  I  did  not  understand  what 
Gamier  meant,  when  he  called  my  friend  Paillasse  and  desired  him 
to  bring  the  tiger  skin  and  club.  Paillasse  obeyed — *  Now/  said 
Gamier,  '  we  will  go  through  the  performance.  You  are  a  young 
savage  from  the  South  Seas,  and,  moreover,  a  cannibal ;  you  eat 
raw  flesh,  the  sight  of  blood  puts  you  in  a  fury,  and  when  you  are 
thirsty,  you  introduce  into  your  mouth  flints  which  you  crack;  you 
utter  only  broken  and  shrill  sounds,  you  open  your  eyes  widely, 
your  motions  are  violent ;  you  only  move  with  leaps  and  bounds  : 
finally,  take  for  your  model  the  ourang-outang  who  is  in  cage 
number  one.'  During  this  lesson,  a  jar  full  of  small  stones  quite 
round  was  placed  at  my  feet,  and  near  it  a  cock  which  was  tired 
with  having  its  legs  tied  together  ;  Gamier  took  it,  and  offered  it  to 
me,  saying,  '  Gnaw  away  at  this.'  I  would  not  bite  it ;  he  threatened 
me.  I  rebelled,  and  demanded  to  be  released ;  to  which  he 
replied  by  a  dozen  cuffs  of  the  ear.  But  he  did  not  get  off  scot- 
free  ;  irritated  at  this  usage,  I  seized  a  stake  and  should  assuredly 
have  knocked  the  naturalist  on  the  head,  if  the  whole  troupe  had 
not  fallen  on  me,  and  thrust  me  out  at  the  door  with  a  shower  of 
blows  from  the  fists  and  kicks  of  the  feet. 

Some  days  afterwards,  I  was  at  the  same  public-house,  with  a 
showman  and  his  wife  who  exhibited  puppets  in  the  open  street 
We  made  acquaintance,  and  I  found  that  I  had  inspired  them 
with  some  feelings  of  interest.  The  husband  pitied  me  for  having 
been  condemned  to  what  he  termed  the  society  of  beasts.  He 


THE  THEATRE  OF  VARIETIES.  17 

compared  me  with  Daniel  in  the  lions'  den.  We  may  see  that  he 
was  learned,  and  intended  for  something  better  than  to  play 
'Punch.'  At  a  later  period  he  superintended  a  provincial 
theatrical  company,  and  perhaps  superintends  it  still  I  shall  con- 
ceal his  name.  The  embryo  manager  was  very  witty,  though  his 
wife  did  not  perceive  it ;  he  was  very  ugly,  which  she  plainly  per- 
ceived She  was  one  of  those  smart  brunettes  with  long  eyelashes, 
whose  hearts  are  of  the  most  inflammable  material,  which  de 
a  better  destiny  than  to  light  a  fire  of  straw.  I  was  young,  and  so 
was  the  lady :  she  was  only  sixteen,  her  husband  thirty-live.  As 
soon  as  I  found  myself  out  of  place,  I  went  to  see  this  couple  :  it 
struck  me  that  they  would  advise  me  correctly.  They  gave  me 
some  dinner,  and  congratulated  me  in  having  dared  to  free  myself 
from  the  despotic  yoke  of  Gamier.  *  Since  you  are  your  own 
master,'  said  the  husband  to  me,  '  you  had  better  accompany  us  : 
you  will  assist  us ;  at  least,  when  we  are  three  in  number,  we  shall 
have  no  lost  time  between  the  acts ;  you  will  move  the  actors 
whilst  Eliza  goes  round  with  the  hat ;  thus  the  public  will  be 
attracted  and  not  go  off,  and  the  profits  will  be  more  abundant. 
What  say  you,  Eliza?'  Eliza  answered,  that  she  would  do  in  this 
respect  all  he  might  desire,  and  besides,  she  entirely  agreed  with 
him ;  and  at  the  same  time  gave  me  a  look  which  bespoke  that  she 
was  not  displeased,  and  that  we  should  soon  understand  each 
other.  I  accepted  the  new  employ  with  gratitude,  and  at  the  next 
representation  I  was  installed  in  my  office.  The  situation  was 
infinitely  superior  to  that  at  Garnier's.  Eliza,  who,  despite  my 
leanness,  had  discovered  that  I  was  not  so  badly  made  as  I  was 
clothed,  made  a  thousand  secret  advances,  to  which  I  was  not 
backward  in  reply  :  at  the  end  of  three  days  she  said  she  loved 
me.  I  was  not  ungrateful ;  we  were  happy  and  constantly  together. 
At  home  we  only  laughed,  played,  and  joked.  Eliza's  husband 
took  all  that  for  child's  sport  ;  when  at  work  we  were  side  by  side 
under  a  narrow  cabin,  formed  of  four  cloth  rags,  dignified  by  the 
splendid  title  of  *  Theatre  of  Amusing  Varieties.1  Eliza  was  on  the 
right  of  her  husband,  and  I  on  her  right  hand,  and  filled  her  place 
when  she  was  not  there  to  superintend  the  exits  and  entrances. 
One  Sunday  the  play  was  in  full  representation,  and  there  was  a 
crowded  audience  round  the  stage.  Punch  had  beaten  everybody, 
and  our  master  having  nothing  more  to  do  with  one  of  his  per- 
sonages (the  Serjeant  of  the  Watch)  wished  it  to  be  removed,  and 
called  for  his  assistant.  We  heard  him  not.  '  Assistant,  assistant,'  he 
repeated  with  impatience,  and  at  a  third  time  turning  round,  he  saw 
us  enfolding  each  other  in  a  close  embrace.  Eliza,  surprised,  sought 
for  an  excuse,  but  the  husband  without  listening  cried  out  again, 

at 


i8  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

1  Assistant,'  and  thrust  against  his  eye  the  hook  which  served  to 
suspend  the  serjeant.  At  the  same  moment  the  blood  flowed,  the 
representation  was  interrupted,  and  a  battle  ensued  between  the 
two  married  people ;  the  show  was  overturned,  and  we  were  ex- 
posed in  the  midst  of  a  numerous  crowd  of  spectators,  from  whom 
this  scene  drew  a  lengthened  peal  of  applause  and  laughter. 

This  disaster  again  threw  me  on  the  wide  world,  without  a  home 
to  shelter  my  head  If  I  had  had  a  decent  appearance,  I  might 
have  procured  a  situation  in  a  respectable  family,  but  my  appear- 
ance was  so  wretched  that  no  one  would  have  anything  to  say  to 
me.  In  my  situation  I  had  but  one  resource,  that  of  returning  to 
Arras  :  but  then  how  to  exist  on  the  road  ?  I  was  a  prey  to  these 
perplexities,  when  a  person  passed  near  me  whom  I  took  by  his 
appearance  to  be  a  pedlar.  I  entered  into  conversation  with  him, 
and  he  told  me  he  was  going  to  Lille  ;  that  he  sold  powders, 
opiates,  and  elixirs,  cut  corns,  relieved  bunions,  and  sometimes 
extracted  teeth.  '  It  is  a  good  trade,'  added  he,  •  hnt  I  am  getting 
old,  and  want  somebody  to  carry  my  pack  ;  it  is  a  stiff-backed 
fellow  like  you  that  1  need,  with  a  firm  foot  and  steady  eye ;  so  if 
you  like  we  will  tramp  it  together.' — 'Willingly,' was  my  reply,  and 
without  any  further  stipulation,  we  went  on  our  way  together. 
After  an  eight  hours'  walk,  night  drew  on,  and  we  could  scarcely 
see  our  way,  when  we  halted  before  a  wretched  village  inn. — *  Here 
it  is,'  said  the  itinerant  doctor,  knocking  at  the  door. — '  Who  is 
there  ?'  cried  a  hoarse  voice.  '  Father  Godard  with  his  pack,3 
answered  my  guide;  and,  the  door  immediately  opening,  we  found 
ourselves  in  the  midst  of  a  crowd  of  pedlars,  tinkers,  quack  doctors, 
umbrella  vendors,  showmen,  etc.,  who  hailed  my  new  master,  and 
ordered  a  plate  to  be  brought  for  him.  I  thought  they  would  do 
me  equal  honour,  and  I  was  about  to  seat  myself  at  table,  when 
the  host,  striking  me  familiarly  on  the  shoulder,  asked  me  if  I  was 
not  mountebank  of  Father  Godard.  '  Who  do  you  call  a  mounte- 
bank ?'  said  I  with  astonishment.  'The  Merry- Andrew,  then.'  I 
confess  that,  despite  of  the  recent  reminiscences  of  the  menagerie, 
and  the  '  Theatre  of  Amusing  Varieties,'  I  felt  mortified  at  such  an 
appellation.  But  I  had  a  devil  of  an  appetite,  and  as  I  thought 
that  supper  would  follow  the  interrogatory,  and  that,  after  all,  my 
situation  with  Father  Godard  had  not  been  accurately  defined,  I 
consented  to  pass  for  his  mountebank.  On  my  answering,  the 
host  led  me  at  once  to  a  neighbouring  spot,  a  sort  of  barn,  where 
a  dozen  of  fellows  were  smoking,  drinking,  and  playing  at  cards. 
He  said  that  they  would  send  me  in  something  to  eat.  Soon 
afterwards,  a  stout  wench  brought  me  in  a  mess  in  a  wooden  bowl, 
on  which  I  fed  with  the  utmost  avidity.  A  loin  of  mutton  was 


THE  RETURN  HOME.  19 

swimming  in  a  sea  of  pot-liquor  with  stringy  turnips  :  I  cleared  the 
whole  up'in  a  twinkling.  This  done,  I  laid  myself  down  with  the 
other  packmen's  valets  on  some  piles  of  straw,  which  we  shared 
with  a  camel,  two  muzzled  bears,  and  a  crowd  of  learned  dogs. 
The  vicinity  of  such  bedfellows  was  not  the  most  pleasing  ;  but  it 
was  necessary  to  put  up  with  it.  I  did  not  close  my  eyes,  whilst 
all  the  others  snored  away  most  gloriously. 

Father  Godard  paid  for  all,  and  however  bad  were  the  beds  and 
the  fare,  as  we  drew  near  Arras,  it  was  necessary  that  I  should  not 
quit  him.  At  length  we  reached  Lille,  which  we  entered  on  a 
market  day.  By  way  of  losing  no  time,  Father  Godard  went  straight 
to  the  principal  square,  and  desired  me  to  arrange  his  table,  his 
chest,  his  vials,  and  his  packets,  and  then  proposed  that  I  should 
go  and  announce  his  arrival  round  the  place.  I  had  made  a  good 
breakfast,  and  the  proposition  disgusted  me :  I  could  put  up  with 
acting  with  a  dromedary,  and  carrying  his  baggage  from  Ostend  to 
Lille,  but  to  go  round  in  parade,  at  ten  leagues  from  Arras — No  \ 
I  bade  adieu  to  Father  Godard,  and  then  set  out  towards  my  native 
city,  of  which  the  clock  soon  became  visible.  Having  reached  the 
foot  of  the  ramparts,  before  the  closing  of  the  gates,  I  trembled  at 
the  idea  of  the  reception  I  should  meet  with  :  one  moment  I  was 
tempted  to  beat  a  retreat,  but  fatigue  and  hunger  could  not  allow 
that  ;  rest  and  food  were  vitally  necessary :  I  wavered  no  longer, 
and  ran  towards  my  paternal  roof.  My  mother  was  alone  in  the 
shop  :  I  entered,  and  throwing  myself  at  her  feet,  wept,  whilst  I 
entreated  her  forgiveness.  The  poor  old  woman,  who  hardly  re- 
cognised me,  so  greatly  was  I  altered,  was  softened  She  had  not 
power  to  repulse  me,  and  even  appeared  to  have  forgotten  all.  She 
reinstated  me  in  my  old  chamber,  after  having  supplied  all  my 
wants.  But  it  was  necessary  to  tell  my  father  of  my  return.  She 
did  not  feel  courage  to  face  his  first  bursts  of  anger  :  a  priest  of  her 
acquaintance,  the  almoner  of  the  regiment  of  Anjou,  garrisoned  ai 
Arras,  undertook  to  be  the  bearer  of  the  words  of  peace  ;  and  my 
father,  after  having  vowed  fire  and  flames,  consented  to  pardon  me. 
I  trembled  lest  he  should  prove  inexorable,  and  when  I  learnt  that 
he  had  yielded,  I  jumped  for  joy.  The  almoner  brought  the  news 
to  me,  and  followed  it  up  with  a  moral  application,  which  was  no 
doubt  very  touching,  but  1  do  not  remember  a  word  of  it ;  I  only 
recollect  that  he  quoted  the  parable  of  the  Prodigal  Son,  which 
was  in  truth  a  history  similar  to  my  own. 

My  adventures  had  made  some  noise  in  the  city;  everybody  was 
anxious  to  hear  them  from  my  own  lips.  But  no  one,  except  one 
actress  of  the  Arras  company,  took  more  interest  in  them  than  two 
milliners  of  the  Rue  de  Trois  Visages  :  I  paid  them  frequent  visits. 

t  --2 


20  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

However,  the  actress  soon  obtained  the  exclusive  privilege  of  my 
attention,  and  an  intrigue  followed,  in  which,  disguised  as  a  young 
girl,  I  renewed  at  her  house  some  scenes  from  the  romance  of 
Faublas.  A  sudden  journey  to  Lille  with  my  conquest,  her  hus- 
band, and  a  very  pretty  little  maid-servant,  who  passed  me  off  for 
her  sister,  proved  to  my  father  that  I  had  soon  forgotten  the 
troubles  of  my  first  campaign.  My  absence  was  not  of  long  con- 
tinuance :  three  weeks  had  scarcely  elapsed,  when,  from  want  of 
money,  Ihe  actress  refused  any  longer  to  allow  me  to  form  part  of 
the  baggage.  I  returned  quietly  to  Arras,  and  my  father  was  con- 
founded at  the  straightforward  way  with  which  I  asked  his  consent 
to  enter  the  army.  The  best  he  could  do  was  to  comply,  which 
he  did ;  and  the  next  day  I  was  clad  in  the  uniform  of  the  Bourbon 
regiment.  My  height,  good  figure,  and  skill  in  arms,  procured 
for  me  an  appointment  in  a  company  of  chasseurs.  Some  old 
veterans  took  offence  at  it,  and  I  sent  two  to  the  hospital  in  con- 
sequence, where  I  soon  joined  them  myself,  on  being  wounded  by 
one  of  their  comrades.  This  commencement  gave  me  notoriety, 
and  they  took  a  malicious  pleasure  in  reviewing  my  past  adven- 
tures ;  so  that  at  the  end  of  six  months,  Reckless — for  they  be- 
stowed that  name  on  me — had  killed  two  men  and  fought  fifteen 
duels.  In  other  respects  I  enjoyed  all  the  pleasure  of  a  garrison 
life.  I  mounted  guard  at  the  cost  of  some  good  shopkeepers, 
whose  daughters  took  on  themselves  the  charge  of  making  me  as 
comfortable  as  possible.  My  mother  added  to  these  liberalities, 
and  my  father  made  me  an  allowance ;  and  besides,  I  found  means 
to  run  in  debt :  thus  I  really  cut  a  figure,  and  scarcely  felt  any- 
thing of  the  troubles  of  discipline.  Once  only  I  was  sentenced  to 
a  fortnight's  imprisonment,  because  I  had  not  answered  to  three 
summonses.  I  underwent  my  punishment  in  a  dungeon  beneath 
one  of  the  bastions,  where  one  of  my  comrades  was  shut  up  with 
me,  a  soldier  in  the  same  regiment.  He  was  accused  of  various 
robberies,  which  he  had  confessed.  Scarcely  were  we  alone  when 
he  told  me  the  grounds  of  his  detention.  Doubtlessly  the  regiment 
would  give  him  up,  and  this  idea,  joined  to  the  dread  of  dishonour- 
ing his  family,  threw  him  into  despair.  I  pitied  him,  and  seeing  no 
remedy  for  so  deplorable  a  case,  I  counselled  him  to  evade  punish- 
ment either  by  escape  or  suicide.  He  determined  to  try  the  former 
ere  he  resolved  on  the  latter ;  and,  aided  by  a  young  friend  who 
came  to  visit  me,  I  prepared  all  for  his  flight.  At  midnight  two 
bars  of  iron  were  broken,  and  we  conducted  the  prisoner  to  the 
ramparts,  and  then  I  said  to  him — 'Go  :  you  must  either  jump  or 
hang.'  He  calculated  the  height,  and  hesitating,  determined  rather 
to  run  the  chance  of  his  sentence  than  to  break  his  legs.  He  was 


IN  THE  ARMY.  21 

preparing  to  return  to  his  dungeon  :  at  a  moment  when  he  least 
expected  it,  we  gave  him  a  push  over :  he  shrieked  out  whilst  I  bid 
him  be  silent.  I  then  returned  to  my  cell  :  when  on  my  straw,  I 
tasted  the  repose  which  the  consciousness  of  a  good  deed  always 
brings.  The  next  day,  on  the  flight  of  my  companion  being  dis- 
covered, I  was  questioned,  and  dismissed  on  saying  that  I  knew 
nothing  of  the  affair.  Some  years  afterwards,  I  met  this  unfortu- 
nate fellow,  who  looked  on  me  as  his  liberator.  Since  his  tail 
he  had  been  lame,  but  had  become  an  honest  man. 

I  could  not  remain  eternally  at  Arras  ;  war  had  been  declared 
against  Austria,  and  I  set  out  with  the  regiment,  and  soon  after 
resent  at  the  route  of  Marquain,  which  ended  at  Lille  by  the 
massacre  of  the  brave  and  unfortunate  General  Dillon.  After  this 
we  were  ordered  against  the  ramp  at  Manlde,  and  then  in  that  de 
la  Lime,  when,  with  the  infernal  army  under  the  command  of 
Killerman,  I  was  engaged  in  the  battle  against  tlu>  Prussians  of 
the  3oth  of  October.  The  next  day  I  was  made  corporal  of 
grenadiers;  thereupon  it  became  necessary  to  baptize  my  w<>rsi«-d 
lace,  and  I  acquitted  myself  with  much  credit  at  the  drinking 
booth,  when,  I  know  not  how  or  why,  I  quarrelled  with  the 
serjeant-major  of  the  regiment  which  I  had  just  left.  An  honour- 
able meeting,  which  I  proposed,  was  agreed  upon,  but  when  on 
the  ground  my  adversary  pretended  that  the  difference  from  rank 
would  not  allow  of  his  measuring  weapons  with  me.  I  sought  to 
compel  him  by  violence,  he  went  to  make  a  complaint  of  me,  and 
the  same  evening  I  was,  together  with  my  second,  placed  under 
arrest.  Two  days  afterwards  we  were  informed  that  we  were  to 
be  tried  by  court-martial,  and  I  thereupon  determined  to  desert. 
My  comrade  in  his  waistcoat  only,  with  a  cap  on  his  head,  like  a 
soldier  about  to  undergo  punishment,  walked  before  me,  who  had 
on  a  hairy  cap,  my  knapsack,  and  musket,  at  the  end  of  which 
was  a  large  packet  sealed  with  red  wax,  and  inscribed  '  To  the 
citizen  commandant  of  the  quarters  at  Vitry-le-Francois.'  This 
was  our  passport,  and  we  reached  Vitry  in  safety,  and  procured 
citizens'  habits  from  a  Jew.  At  this  period  the  walls  of  every  city 
were  covered  with  placards,  in  which  all  Frenchmen  were 
invited  to  fly  to  the  defence  of  their  country.  At  such  a  juncture 
the  first  comers  were  enrolled:  a  quarter-master  of  the  nth 
chasseurs  received  us,  gave  us  our  route,  and  we  immediately 
started  for  the  depot  at  Philippeville. 

My  companion  and  self  had  but  little  cash,  when  fortunately  a 
lucky  windfall  was  in  waiting  for  us  at  Chalons.  In  the  same  inn 
with  us  was  a  soldier  of  Beaujolais,  who  invited  us  to  drink.  He 
was  an  open-hearted  countryman  of  Picardy,  and  as  I  conversed 


22  MEMOIRS  OF  VWOCQ. 

with  him  in  the  provincial  dialect  of  his  country,  whilst  the  glass 
was  circulating,  we  grew  such  great  friends,  that  he  showed  us  a 
portfolio  filled  with  assignats,  which  he  said  he  had  found  near 
Chateau-1' Abbaye.  *  Comrades,'  said  he,  '  I  cannot  read,  but  if 
you  will  tell  me  what  these  papers  are  worth,  I  will  give  you  a 
share.'  The  Picard  could  not  have  asked  any  one  better  able  to 
inform  him,  and  in  bulk  he  had  much  the  greater  quantity  ;  but  he 
had  no  suspicion  that  we  had  retained  in  value  nine-tenths  of  the 
sum.  This  little  supply  was  not  useless  during  the  remainder  of 
our  journey,  which  we  finished  with  much  glee.  Arrived  at  our 
place  of  destination,  we  had  still  enough  left  to  keep  the  pot  boil- 
ing. A  short  time  afterwards  we  were  sufficiently  skilled  in  horse- 
manship to  be  appointed  to  one  of  the  squadrons  on  service,  and 
we  reached  the  army  two  days  before  the  battle  of  Jemmappes. 
It  was  not  the  first  time  that  I  had  smelt  powder,  and  I  was  no 
coward ;  indeed,  I  had  reason  to  know  that  I  had  found  favour 
in  the  eyes  of  my  officers,  when  my  captain  informed  me,  that 
having  been  discovered  to  be  a  deserter,  I  should  be  most  certainly 
arrested.  The  danger  was  imminent,  and  that  same  evening 
I  saddled  my  horse,  intending  to  go  over  to  the  Austrians.  I 
soon  reached  their  outposts  ;  and  on  asking  to  be  admitted,  was 
incorporated  at  once  with  the  cuirassiers  of  Kinski.  What  I  most 
feared  was  lest  I  should  be  compelled  next  day  to  cross  swords 
with  the  French,  and  I  hastened  to  avoid  any  such  necessity  A 
pretended  illness  enabled  me  to  be  left  at  Louvain,  where  after 
passing  some  days  in  the  hospital,  I  offered  to  give  the  officers  in 
the  garrison  lessons  in  fencing.  They  were  delighted  with  the  pro- 
posal, and  supplied  me  with  masks,  gloves,  and  foils  ;  and  an 
assault  in  which  I  disarmed  two  or  three  pretended  German 
masters  was  enough  to  give  them  the  highest  opinion  of  my  skill. 
I  soon  had  many  pupils,  and  reaped  a  good  harvest  of  florins 

I  was  too  much  elated  with  my  success,  when  at  the  end  of  a 
brisk  attack  on  a  brigadier,  I  was  condemned  to  undergo  twenty 
stripes  of  the  cat,  which,  according  to  custom,  were  given  to  me 
on  parade.  This  transported  me  with  rage,  and  I  refused  to  give 
another  lesson.  I  was  ordered  to  continue,  with  a  choice  of 
giving  lessons  or  a  fresh  flogging.  I  decided  on  the  former ;  but 
the  cat  annoyed  me,  and  I  resolved  to  dare  all  to  escape  from  it. 
Being  informed  that  a  lieutenant  was  about  to  join  the  army  under 
General  Schroeder,  I  begged  to  accompany  him  as  a  servant ;  to 
which  he  agreed,  under  the  idea  that  I  should  make  a  St.  George 
of  him ;  but  he  was  mistaken,  for  as  we  approached  Quesnoi  I 
took  French  leave,  and  directed  my  journey  towards  Landrecies, 
where  I  passed  for  a  Belgian  who  had  left  the  Austrian  banner 


A  DOMESTIC  ROBBERY.  23 

They  wished  me  to  enter  a  cavalry  regiment,  but  the  fear  of  being 
recognised  and  shot,  if  ever  I  should  be  brigaded  with  my  old 
regiment,  made  me  give  the  preference  to  the  i4th  light  regiment 
(the  old  chasseurs  of  the  barriers).  The  army  of  the  Sambre  and 
Meuse  was  then  marching  towards  Aix-la-Chapelle ;  the  company 
to  which  I  belonged  received  orders  to  follow  it.  We  set  out,  and 
on  entering  Rocroi  I  saw  the  chasseurs  of  the  nth.  I  gave 
myself  up  for  lost,  when  my  old  captain,  with  whom  I  could  not 
avoid  an  interview,  gave  me  courage.  This  worthy  man,  who  had 
taken  an  interest  in  me  ever  since  he  had  seen  me  cut  away 
amongst  the  hussars  of  Saxe-Teschen,  told  me  that  as  an  amnesty 
would  henceforward  place  me  out  of  the  reach  of  all  pursuit,  he 
should  have  much  pleasure  in  again  having  me  under  his  order. 
I  told  him  how  glad  it  would  make  me ;  and  he,  undertaking  to 
arrange  the  affair,  I  was  once  more  reinstated  in  the  nth.  My 
old  comrades  received  me  with  pleasure,  and  I  was  not  less 
pleased  to  find  myself  once  again  amongst  them  ;  and  nothing  was 
wanting  to  complete  my  happiness,  when  love,  who  is  always  busy, 
determined  on  playing  one  of  his  tricks.  It  will  not  be  thought  sur- 
prising that  at  seventeen  I  captivated  the  housekeeper  of  an  old 
gentleman.  Manon,  for  that  was  her  name,  was  near  twice  my 
age,  but  then  she  loved  me  very  tenderly,  and  proved  it  by  making 
every  sacrifice  to  me  unhesitatingly.  I  was  to  her  taste,  the 
handsomest  of  chasseurs,  because  I  was  hers,  and  she  wished  that  I 
should  also  be  the  most  dashing.  She  had  already  given  me  a  watch, 
and  I  was  proudly  adorned  with  various  jewels,  proofs  of  the  love 
with  which  I  had  inspired  her,  wrfen  I  learnt  that  Manon  was 
accused  by  her  master  of  robbery.  Manon  confessed  the  fact,  but 
at  the  same  time,  to  assure  herself  that  after  her  sentence  I  should 
not  pass  into  another's  arms,  she  pointed  me  out  as  her  accom- 
plice, and  even  asserted  that  I  had  proposed  the  theft  to  her.  It 
had  the  appearance  of  probability,  and  I  was  consequently  impli- 
cated, and  should  have  extricated  myself  with  difficulty  if  chance 
had  not  brought  to  light  some  letters  of  hers,  which  established 
my  innocence.  Manon,  conscience-stricken,  retracted.  I  had 
been  shut  up  in  the  house  of  confinement  at  Stenay,  whence  I  was 
set  at  liberty,  and  sent  back  as  white  as  snow.  My  captain,  who 
had  never  thought  me  guilty,  was  delighted  to  see  me  again  :  but 
the  chasseurs  could  not  forgive  my  being  even  suspected ;  and  in 
consequence  of  various  allusions  and  comments,  I  had  no  less 
than  six  duels  in  as  many  days.  In  the  last  I  was  badly  wounded, 
and  was  conveyed  to  the  hospital,  where  I  remained  for  a  month 
before  I  recovered.  On  going  put,  my  officer,  convinced  that 
these  quarrels  would  be  renewed  if  I  did  not  go  away  for  a  time, 


24  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

gave  me  a  furlough  for  six  weeks.  I  went  to  Arras,  where  I  was 
much  astonished  to  find  my  father  in  a  public  employment.  As 
an  old  baker,  he  had  been  appointed  to  watch  over  the  supplies 
of  the  commissariat.  He  opposed  the  distribution  of  bread  at  a 
time  of  scarcity ;  and  this  discharge  of  his  duty,  although  he  per- 
formed it  gratis,  was  so  offensive  that  he  would  assuredly  have  been 
conducted  to  the  guillotine,  had  he  not  been  protected  by  Citizen 
(now  Lieu  tenant-General)  Souham,  commandant  of  the  2d  batta- 
lion of  Correze,  into  which  I  was  temporarily  drafted. 

My  furlough  being  out,  I  rejoined  my  regiment  at  Givet,  whence 
we  marched  for  the  county  of  Namur.  We  were  quartered  in  the 
villages  on  the  banks  of  the  Meuse ;  and  as  the  Austrians  were  in 
sight,  not  a  day  passed  without  some  firing  on  both  sides.  At  the 
termination  of  an  engagement  more  serious  than  usual,  we  were 
driven  back  almost  under  the  cannon  of  Givet :  and  in  the  retreat 
I  received  a  ball  in  my  leg,  which  compelled  me  to  go  again  to  the 
hospital,  and  afterwards  to  remain  at  the  depot ;  and  I  was  there 
when  the  Germanic  legion  passed,  principally  composed  of  a  party 
of  deserters,  fencing-masters,  etc.  One  of  the  chief  officers  pro- 
posed that  I  should  enter  this  corps,  offering  the  rank  of  quarter- 
master. '  Once  admitted,'  said  he,  *  I  will  answer  for  you,  you 
shall  be  safe  from  all  pursuit.'  The  certainty  of  not  being  asked 
for,  joined  to  the  remembrance  of  the  disagreeables  of  my  intimacy 
with  Manon,  decided  me ;  I  accepted  the  offer,  and  the  next  day 
was  with  the  legion  on  the  road  to  Flanders.  No  doubt,  in  con- 
tinuing to  serve  in  this  corps,  where  promotion  was  very  rapid,  I 
should  have  been  made  an  officer,  but  my  wound  opened  afresh, 
with  such  bad  symptoms,  that  I  determined  to  ask  for  leave  again, 
which  on  obtaining,  I  was  six  days  afterwards  once  more  at  the 
gates  of  Arras.  

CHAPTER  II. 

Joseph  Lebon — Orchestra  of  the  guillotine — The  aristocrat  parrot — The  Sans 
Culottes  —  Imprisonment  —  Gaoler  Beaupre —  M.  de  Bethune  —  I  get  my 
liberty— I  am  made  an  officer — The  quarters  of  St.  Sylvestre  Capelle— The 
revolutionary  army — Retaking  of  a  vessel — I  marry — Another  visit  to  the 
Baudets — My  emancipation. 

ON  entering  the  city,  I  was  struck  with  the  air  of  consternation 
which  every  countenance  wore ;  some  persons  whom  I  questioned 
looked  at  me  with  contempt,  and  left  me  without  making  any 
reply.  What  extraordinary  business  was  being  transacted  ?  Pene- 
trating the  crowd,  which  was  thronged  in  the  dark  and  winding 
streets,  I  soon  reached  the  fish-market.  Then  the  first  object 
which  struck  my  sight  was  the  guillotine,  raising  its  blood-red 


JOSEPH  LEBON.  25 

boards  above  the  silent  multitude.  An  old  man,  whom  they  had 
just  tied  to  the  fatal  plank,  was  the  victim  ;  suddenly  I  heard  the 
sound  of  trumpets.  On  a  high  place  which  overlooked  the 
orchestra,  was  seated  a  man,  still  young,  clad  in  a  Carmagnole  of 
black  and  blue  stripes.  This  person,  whose  appearance  announced 
monastic  rather  than  military  habits,  was  leaning  carelessly  on  a 
cavalry  sabre,  the  large  hilt  of  which  represented  the  Cap  of 
Liberty  ;  a  row  of  pistols  ornamented  his  girdle,  and  his  hat, 
turned  up  in  the  Spanish  fashion,  was  surmounted  by  a  large  tri- 
coloured  cockade  :  I  recognised  Joseph  Lebon.  At  this  moment 
his-  mean  countenance  was  animated  with  a  horrid  smile ;  he 
paused  from  beating  time  with  his  left  foot ;  the  trumpets  stopped ; 
he  made  a  signal,  and  the  old  man  was  placed  under  the  blade. 
A  sort  of  clerk,  half-drunk,  then  appeared  at  the  side  of  the 
'  avenger  of  the  people,'  and  read  with  a  hoarse  voice  a  bulletin  of 
the  army  of  the  Rhine  and  Moselle.  At  each  paragraph  the 
orchestra  sounded  a  chord  ;  and  when  the  reading  was  concluded, 
the  head  of  the  wretched  old  man  was  stricken  off  amidst  shouts 
of  *  Vive  la  r£publique  !'  repeated  by  the  satellites  of  the  ferocious 
Lebon.  I  shall  never  forget,  nor  can  I  adequately  depict,  the 
impression  of  this  horrible  sight.  I  reached  my  father's  house 
almost  as  lifeless  as  the  miserable  being  whose  agony  had  been  so 
cruelly  prolonged ;  and  then  I  learnt  that  he  was  M.  de  Mongon, 
the  old  commandant  of  the  citadel,  condemned  as  an  aristocrat. 
A  few  days  before,  they  had  executed  at  the  same  place  M.  de 
Vicux-Pont,  whose  only  crime  was  that  of  having  a  parrot,  in  whose 
chatterings  there  were  some  sounds  like  the  cry  of  *  Vive  le  Roi !' 
The  parrot  had  escaped  the  fate  of  his  master ;  and  it  was  said 
that  it  had  been  pardoned  at  the  entreaty  of  the  citizeness 
Lebon,  who  had  undertaken  to  convert  it.  The  citizeness  Lebon 
had  been  a  nun  of  the  abbey  of  Vivier  :  with  this  qualification 
added  to  many  others,  she  was  the  fitting  consort  of  the  ex  curate 
of  Neuville,  and  exercised  a  powerful  influence  over  the  members 
of  the  commission  at  Arras,  in  which  were  seated,  as  judges  or 
jurymen,  her  brother-in  law  and  three  uncles.  The  ex-nun  was  no 
less  greedy  of  gold  than  blood.  One  evening  at  the  theatre,  she 
ventured  to  make  this  address  to  the  crowded  auditory  :  *  Ah, 
Sans  Culottes,  they  say  it  is  not  for  you  that  the  guillotine  is  at 
work  ?  What  the  devil,  must  we  not  denounce  the  enemies  of  the 
country  ?  Do  you  know  any  noble,  any  rich  person,  any  aristo- 
cratical  shopkeeper  ?  Denounce  him  and  you  shall  have  his 
money-bags.'  The  atrocity  of  this  monster  was  only  equalled  by 
that  of  her  husband,  who  abandoned  himself  to  the  greatest  ex- 
cesses. Frequently  after  his  orgies  he  was  seen  running  through 


26  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ, 

the  city  making  bestial  propositions  to  one  young  person,  brandish- 
ing a  sabre  over  another's  head,  and  firing  pistols  in  the  ears  of 
women  and  children. 

An  old  apple-woman,  with  a  red-cap  and  sleeves  tucked  up  to 
the  shoulders,  carrying  a  long  stick  of  hazel-wood,  usually  attended 
him  in  his  walks,  and  they  were  frequently  met  arm-in-arm  together. 
This  woman,  called  Mother  Duchesne,  in  allusion  to  the  famous 
Father  Duchesne,  figured  as  the  Goddess  of  Liberty  in  several 
democratic  solemnities.  She  regularly  assisted  at  the  sittings  of 
the  commissions,  for  which  she  prepared  the  arrests  by  her  speeches 
and  denunciations.  She  thus  brought  to  the  guillotine  all  the 
inhabitants  of  one  street,  which  was  left  entirely  desolated. 

I  have  often  asked  myself  how,  in  the  midst  of  such  deplorable 
scenes,  the  taste  for  pleasure  and  amusement  lost  none  of  its  relish. 
The  fact  is,  that  Arras  continued  to  offer  to  me  the  same  dissipa- 
tions as  ever ;  the  ladies  were  accessible  ;  and  I  was  easily  con- 
vinced of  that,  as  in  a  very  few  days  I  rose  gradually  in  my  amours 
from  the  young  and  pretty  Constance,  only  child  of  Corporal 
Latulipe,  canteen-keeper  of  the  citadel,  to  the  four  daughters  of  the 
notary,  who  had  an  office  at  the  corner  of  the  Rue  des  Capucines. 
Lucky  should  I  have  been  had  I  confined  myself  to  that,  but  I 
began  to  pay  my  homage  to  a  beauty  of  the  Rue  de  la  Justice ; 
and  one  day  I  met  my  rival  in  my  walks.  He,  who  was  the  old 
musician  of  the  regiment,  was  one  of  those  men  who,  without 
boasting  of  the  success  which  they  have  obtained,  hint  in  plain 
terms  that  they  have  experienced  refusals.  I  charged  him  with 
boasting  in  this  way,  and  he  became  enraged ;  I  provoked 
him  the  more,  and  the  more  angry  he  grew :  I  had  forgotten  my 
own  cause  of  anger  with  him,  when  I  remembered  that  I  had  good 
grounds  of  offence.  I  demanded  an  explanation,  which  was  use- 
less ;  and  he  only  consented  to  meet  me  after  I  had  inflicted  on 
him  the  most  degrading  humiliation.  The  rendezvous  was  fixed 
for  the  next  morning.  I  was  punctual ;  but  scarcely  had  I  arrived 
when  I  was  surrounded  by  a  troop  of  gendarmes  and  police- 
officers,  who  demanded  my  sword  and  ordered  me  to  follow  them. 
I  obeyed,  and  was  soon  enclosed  within  the  walls  of  the  Baudets, 
whose  use  had  been  changed  since  the  terrorists  had  put  the 
population  of  Arras  in  a  state  of  periodical  decapitation.  The 
gaoler,  Beaupre",  covered  with  an  enormous  red  cap,  and  followed 
by  two  large  black  dogs,  who  never  quitted  him,  conducted  me  to 
a  vast  garret,  where  he  held  in  his  keeping  the  principal  in- 
habitants of  the  country.  There,  deprived  of  all  communication 
from  without,  they  scarcely  received  nourishment,  and  not  even 
that  until  it  had  literally  been  overhauled  by  Beaupre,  who  carried 


M.  DE  BETHUNE.  27 

his  precaution  so  far  as  to  plunge  his  filthy,  dirty  hands  in  the 
broth,  to  assure  himself  that  there  were  no  arms  or  keys.  If  any- 
body complained,  he  said  to  him,  *  Umph  !  you  are  very  difficult 
to  please  for  the  time  you  have  left  to  live.  How  do  you  know 
that  it  will  not  be  your  turn  to-morrow  ?  Oh,  by  the  way,  what  is 
your  name  ?' — *  So  and  so.' — *  Ah  !  by  my  faith,  it  is  your  turn  to- 
morrow !'  And  the  predictions  of  Beaupre  were  the  less  likely  to 
fail  as  he  himself  pointed  out  the  individuals  to  Joseph  Lebon, 
who,  after  his  dinner,  consulted  him,  saying,  *  Who  shall  we  bathe 
to-morrow  ?' 

Amongst  the  gentry  shut  up  with  us  was  the  Count  de  Bethune. 
One  morning  they  sent  for  him  to  the  tribunal.  Before  leading 
him  out  to  the  forecourt,  Beaupre  said  to  him  abruptly,  *  Citizen 
Bethune,  since  you  are  going  down  there,  am  not  I  to  have  all  you 
leave  behind  you?' — 'Certainly,  M.  Beauprey  answered  the  old 
man  tranquilly.  '  There  are  no  misters  now,'  said  the  grinning 
wretch  of  a  gaoler,  '  we  are  all  citizens  ;'  and  at  the  gate  he  again 
cried  out  to  him,  '  Adieu,  Citizen  Bethune  !'  M.  de  Bethune  was, 
however,  acquitted.  He  was  brought  back  to  prison  as  a  sus- 
pected person.  His  return  rejoiced  us  all ;  we  thought  him  saved, 
but  the  next  day  he  was  again  called  up.  Joseph  Lebon,  during 
whose  absence  the  sentence  of  acquittal  had  been  passed,  arrived 
from  the  country :  furious  at  bciiu,'  deprived  of  the  blood  of  so 
worthy  a  man,  he  had  ordered  the  members  of  the  commission  to 
assemble  immediately,  and  M.  de  Lethune,  condemned  at  the  next 
sitting,  was  executed  by  torchlight. 

This  event,  which  Beaupre  announced  to  us  with  ferocious  joy, 
gave  me  serious  uneasiness  ;  every  day  they  condemned  to  death 
men  who  were  ignorant  even  of  the  cause  of  their  arrest,  and 
whose  fortune  or  situation  in  society  never  intended  them  for 
political  commotion;  and  on  the  other  hand,  I  knew  that  Beaupre, 
very  scrupulous  as  to  the  number,  thought  not  of  the  quality  ;  and 
that  frequently,  not  seeing  immediately  the  number  of  individuals 
pointed  out,  sent  the  first  who  came  to  hand,  that  the  service  of 
the  state  might  suffer  nothing  from  delay.  Every  moment  then 
might  place  me  in  the  clutch  of  Beaupre,  and  you  may  believe  that 
this  idea  was  not  the  most  satisfactory  in  the  world. 

I  had  been  already  detained  sixteen  days,  when  a  visit  from 
Joseph  Lebon  was  announced  ;  his  wife  accompanied  him,  and  he 
had  in  his  train  the  principal  terrorists  of  the  country,  amongst 
whom  I  recognised  my  father's  old  barber,  and  an  emptier  of  wells, 
called  Delmotte  or  Lantilette.  I  asked  them  to  say  a  word  for  me 
to  the  representative,  which  they  promised ;  and  I  augured  trie 
better  of  it  as  they  were  both  in  good  estimation.  However, 


28  MEMOIRS  OF  VWOCQ. 

Joseph  Lebon  went  through  the  rooms,  questioning  the  prisoners 
in  a  brutal  manner,  and  pretending  to  address  them  with  frightful 
harshness.  When  he  came  to  me,  he  stared  at  me,  and  said  in  a 
tone  half  severe  and  half  jesting,  '  Ah  !  ah  !  is  it  you,  Frangois  ? 
What,  you  an  aristocrat — you  speak  ill  of  the  Sans  Culottes — you 
regret  your  old  Bourbon  regiment — take  care,  for  I  can  send  you 
to  be  cooked  (guillotined).  But  send  your  mother  to  me.'  I  told 
him,  that  being  so  strictly  immured  (au  secret}  I  could  not  see  her. 
*  Beaupre,'  said  he  to  the  gaoler,  '  let  Vidocq's  mother  come  in  ;' 
and  went  away,  leaving  me  full  of  hope,  as  he  had  evidently  treated 
me  with  marked  amenity.  Two  hours  afterwards  I  saw  my  mother, 
who  told  me,  what  I  knew  not  before,  that  the  musician  whom  I 
had  challenged  had  denounced  me.  The  denunciation  was  in  the 
hands  of  a  furious  Jacobin,  the  terrorist  Chevalier,  who,  out  of 
friendship  to  my  rival,  would  certainly  have  been  much  against 
me,  if  his  sister,  at  the  persuasion  of  my  mother,  had  not  prevailed 
on  him  to  exert  himself  to  procure  my  discharge.  Having  left 
prison,  I  was  conducted  with  great  state  to  the  patriotic  society, 
where  they  made  me  take  the  oath  of  fidelity  to  the  republic  and 
hatred  to  tyrants.  I  swore  all  they  desired.  What  sacrifices  will 
not  a  man  make  to  procure  his  freedom  ! 

These  formalities  concluded,  I  was  replaced  in  the  depot,  where 
my  comrades  testified  much  pleasure  at  seeing  me  again.  After 
what  had  passed,  I  should  have  been  deficient  in  gratitude  had  I 
not  looked  on  Chevalier  as  my  deliverer ;  I  went  to  thank  him, 
and  expressed  to  his  sister  how  much  I  was  touched  at  the  interest 
which  she  had  so  kindly  testified  to  a  poor  prisoner.  This  lady, 
who  was  the  most  amorous  of  brunettes,  but  whose  large  black 
eyes  did  not  compensate  for  their  ugliness,  thought  that  I  was  in 
love  because  I  was  polite  ;  she  construed  literally  some  compli- 
ments which  I  paid  her,  and  from  the  first  interview,  she  so  greatly 
misinterpreted  my  sentiments  as  to  cast  her  regards  upon  me.  Our 
union  was  talked  of,  and  my  parents  were  questioned  on  the  point, 
who  answered  that  eighteen  was  too  young  for  marriage,  and  so 
the  matter  went  on.  Meanwhile  battalions  were  formed  at  Arras, 
and  being  known  as  an  excellent  driller,  I  was  summoned,  with 
seven  other  subaltern  officers,  to  instruct  the  2nd  Battalion  of 
Pas-de-Calais,  to  which  belonged  a  corporal  of  grenadiers  of  the 
regiment  of  Languedoc,  named  Caesar,  now  garde  champetre  at 
Colombre  or  Pateux,  near  Paris.  Afterwards  I  was  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  sub-lieutenant  on  arriving  at  St.  Sylvestre-Capelle,  near 
Bailleul,  where  we  quartered.  Caesar  had  been  fencing-master  in 
his  own  regiment,  and  my  prowess  with  the  advanced  guard  of 
Kinski's  cuirassiers  was  well  known.  We  resolved  to  teach  the 


ST.  *  YL  VES TRE- CAPELLE.  25 

practice  as  well  as  the  theory  of  fencing  to  the  officers  of  the 
battalion,  who  were  much  pleased  at  such  an  arrangement.  Our 
lessons  produced  us  some  money,  but  not  enough  for  our  wants, 
or,  if  you  please,  the  desire  of  men  of  our  abilities.  It  was  par- 
ticularly in  good  living  that  we  were  found  wanting.  What  increased 
our  regrets  and  appetites  was,  that  the  mayor,  with  whom  we  lodged, 
kept  an  excellent  table.  We  sought  in  vain  the  means  of  increas- 
ing our  supplies  ;  an  old  domineering  servant,  named  Sixca,  always 
defeated  our  intentions,  and  disturbed  our  gastronomic  plans.  We 
were  disheartened  and  starving. 

At  length  Caesar  found  out  the  secret  of  breaking  the  charm 
which  kept  us  from  the  table  of  the  municipal  functionary.  At  his 
suggestion,  the  drum-major  came  one  morning  to  beat  the  morning 
call  under  the  mayor's  windows.  Judge  of  the  disturbance.  It 
may  be  surmised  that  the  old  Maegara  did  not  fail  to  request  an 
intervention  in  putting  a  stop  to  this  uproar.  Caesar  promised, 
with  mild  air,  to  use  all  his  influence  to  put  a  stop  to  the  noise, 
and  then  ran  to  beg  the  drum-major  to  renew  the  cause  of  com- 
plaint ;  and  the  next  morning  there  was  a  row  sufficient  to  awaken 
the  dead  from  the  adjacent  churchyard  ;  and  at  length,  not  to  do 
things  by  halves,  he  sent  the  drum-major  to  practise  with  his  boys 
at  the  back  of  the  house ;  a  pupil  of  the  Abbe  Sicard  could  not 
have  endured  it.  The  old  woman  came  to  us,  and  invited  the 
cunning  Caesar  and  me  very  graciously ;  but  that  was  not  enough. 
The  drummers  continued  their  concert,  which  only  concluded 
when  their  respectable  chief  was  admitted,  as  well  as  ourselves,  to 
the  municipal  banquet.  From  that  time  no  more  drums  were 
heard  at  St.  Sylvestre-Capelle,  except  when  detachments  were 
passing  by,  and  everybody  was  at  peace  except  myself,  whom  the 
old  woman  began  to  threaten  with  her  obliging  favours.  This 
unfortunate  passion  brought  on  a  scene  which  must  still  be  re- 
membered m  that  part  of  the  country,  where  it  made  much  noise 
at  the  time. 

It  was  the  village  feast :  dancing,  singing,  drinking  went  on  ;  and 
I  bore  my  part  so  ably  that  they  were  compelled  to  lead  me  to 
bed.  The  next  day  I  awoke  before  daybreak  :  as  after  all  similar 
orgies,  I  had  a  giddy  head,  my  mouth  parched,  and  my  stomach 
disordered ;  I  wanted  something  to  drink ,  and  on  rising  1  felt  a 
hand  as  cold  as  a  well-rope  encircling  my  neck ;  my  head  was 
still  wandering  and  weak  from  the  over-night's  debauch,  and  I 
shrieked  out  lustily.  The  mayor,  who  slept  in  an  adjoining 
chamber,  ran  with  his  brother  and  an  old  servant,  both  armed 
with  cudgels.  Caesar  had  not  returned,  and  reflectiun  had  con- 
vinced me  that  the  nocturnal  visitor  could  only  be  Sixca ;  and  pre- 


30  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

tending  to  be  greatly  alarmed,  I  told  them  that  some  hobgoblin 
had  come  to  my  side,  and  had  glided  out  at  the  foot  of  the  bed. 
They  then  laid  on  several  blows  with  their  sticks ;  and  Sixca, 
perceiving  that  she  would  soon  be  killed,  cried  out,  '  Gentlemen, 
do  not  strike,  it  is  I — it  is  Sixca.  I  walked  in  my  sleep  to  the 
officer's  bed.'  At  the  same  time  she  showed  her  head,  and  did 
well ;  for  although  they  recognised  her  voice,  yet  the  superstitious 
Flemings  were  about  to  renew  the  application  of  the  bastinado. 
This  affair  made  much  noise  throughout  the  place.  It  spread 
even  to  Cassel,  and  procured  me  many  intrigues.  I  had,  amongst 
others,  one  with  a  pretty  barmaid,  whom  I  should  not  allude  to  if 
she  had  not  taught  me  that  at  the  counter  of  some  coffee-houses 
a  good-looking  fellow  may  get  change  for  cash  which  he  has  not 
paid. 

We  had  been  quartered  for  three  months  when  the  division  was 
ordered  to  Stinward.  The  Austrians  had  given  tokens  of  an  in- 
tention to  proceed  to  Poperingue,  and  the  2nd  battalion  of  the 
Pas-de-Calais  was  placed  in  the  first  rank.  The  night  after  our 
arrival  the  enemy  surprised  our  outposts,  and  penetrated  to  the 
village  of  Belle,  which  we  occupied,  and  we  formed  in  battle  array 
in  the  greatest  haste.  In  this  nocturnal  manoeuvre  our  young 
recruits  evinced  that  intelligence  and  alacrity  which  are  only  to  be 
found  in  Frenchmen.  About  six  o'clock  in  the  morning,  a  squadron 
of  Wurmser  hussars  debouched  on  our  left,  and  charged  us  without 
being  able  to  break  through  our  ranks.  A  column  of  infantry 
which  followed  them  attacked  us  at  the  same  time  with  the 
bayonet ;  and  it  was  only  after  a  brisk  encounter  that  our  inferiority 
of  numbers  compelled  us  to  fall  back  upon  Stinward,  our  head- 
quarters. 

On  arriving  there  I  received  the  congratulations  of  General 
Vandomme,  and  a  billet  for  the  hospital  of  St.  Omer,  for  I  had 
had  two  sabre  cuts  in  fighting  with  an  Austrian  hussar,  who  was 
killed  whilst  crying,  '  Ergib  dich  1  ergib  dich  /'  (surrender,  sur- 
render). 

My  wounds  were  not  very  severe,  since  at  the  end  of  two  months 
I  was  enabled  to  rejoin  the  battalion  which  was  at  Hazebrouek. 
I  then  saw  the  strange  corps  called  the  Revolutionary  Army. 

The  men  with  pikes  and  red  caps,  who  composed  it,  took  with 
them  everywhere  the  guillotine.  The  convention  had  not,  they 
said,  found  any  better  way  of  securing  the  fidelity  of  the  officers 
of  the  fourteen  armies  which  it  had  on  foot,  than  by  placing  before 
their  eyes  the  instrument  of  punishment  reserved  for  traitors.  All 
that  I  can  say  is,  that  this  mournful  sight  almost  killed  with  fear 
the  inhabitants  of  the  country  through  which  it  passed.  It  did 


RETAKING  A   VESSEL.  31 

not  much  flatter  the  military,  and  we  had  many  quarrels  with  the 
Sans  Culottes,  who  were  called  the  body-guard  of  the  guillotine. 
I  beat  one  of  the  party,  who  took  upon  himself  to  censure  my 
gold  epaulettes,  when  the  regulation  only  ordered  those  of  worsted. 
My  fine  array  would  have  brought  misfortune  on  me,  and  I  should 
have  paid  dearly  for  my  disregard  of  the  sumptuary  law,  if  I  had  not 
been  allowed  to  start  for  Cassel,  where  I  was  joined  by  my  batta- 
lion, which  was  then  arrayed  like  the  other  regiments  :  these  officers 
became  plain  soldiers,  and  it  was  in  that  capacity  that  I  was 
directed  to  enter  the  28th  battalion  of  volunteers,  which  formed 
part  of  the  army  destined  to  drive  the  Austrians  from  Valenciennes 
and  Conde". 

Shortly  afterwards  the  battalion  was  quartered  at  Fresnes.  In 
the  farm-house  in  which  I  was  billeted,  there  arrived  one  day  the 
whole  family  of  a  pilot,  consisting  of  the  husband,  wife,  and  two 
children,  one  of  whom  was  a  girl  of  eighteen,  who  was  remarkably 
handsome.  The  Austrians  had  taken  the  boat,  laden  with  grain, 
which  was  their  whole  fortune  ;  and  these  poor  people,  reduced  to 
the  garments  which  covered  them,  had  no  resource  left  but  to  take 
refuse  \vith  my  host,  their  relation.  This  circumstance,  their 
pitiable  condition,  and  the  beauty  of  the  young  girl  Delphine, 
touched  my  heart. 

I  Hiring  a  foraging  party,  I  discovered  their  boat,  which  the 
enemy  were  only  gradually  unlading  and  measuring  out.  I  pro- 
posed to  a  dozen  of  my  comrades  to  carry  off  the  spoils  from  the 
Austrians.  They  acceded  to  the  proposition  ;  our  colonel  gave  us 
consent ;  and  on  a  stormy  night,  we  approached  the  vessel  without 
being  observed  by  the  officer  in  charge,  whom  we  despatched  to 
feed  the  fish  of  the  Escant  with  five  strokes  of  the  bayonet.  The 
will-  of  the  pilot,  who  would  follow  us,  instantly  ran  for  a  bag  of 
florins  which  she  had  concealed  in  the  grain,  and  gave  them  to  my 
charge.  We  then  loosened  the  boat,  to  let  it  float  to  a  point 
where  we  had  an  entrenched  post,  but  at  the  moment  it  got  into  the 
stream,  we  were  surprised  by  the  challenge  of  a  guard,  whom  we 
had  not  observed  amongst  the  bulrushes  which  concealed  him 
At  the  report  of  his  gun  which  accompanied  his  second  call  to  ua 
the  next  piquet  flew  to  arms,  and  in  a  moment  the  bank  wa\ 
covered  with  soldiers  who  fired  a  shower  of  balls  at  the  boat, 
which  we  were  compelled  to  quit.  My  comrades  and  I  cast  our- 
selves on  a  sort  of  raft  which  we  had,  and  the  women  did  the 
same;  but  the  pilot,  forgotten  in  the  confusion,  or  stopping  with 
a  hope  of  escape,  was  taken  by  the  Austrians,  who  were  not  sparing 
of  their  blows  and  kicks.  This  experiment  had,  besides,  lost  us 
three  men,  and  I  had  two  finders  broken  by  a  musket  ball.  Del- 


32  MEMOIRS  OF  VWOCQ. 

phine  loaded  me  with  caresses.  Her  mother  having  set  out  foi 
Ghent,  where  she  knew  her  husband  had  been  sent  as  prisoner  of 
war,  we  betook  ourselves  to  Lille.  I  there  passed  my  time  of  con- 
valescence. As  Delphine  had  a  portion  of  the  money  found  in  the 
grain,  we  led  a  very  pleasant  life.  We  talked  of  marriage,  and 
the  affair  was  so  far  arranged  that  I  started  one  morning  for  Arras, 
whence  I  was  to  return  with  the  license  and  my  parents'  consent. 
Delphine  had  already  procured  that  of  her  parents,  who  were  still 
at  Ghent.  A  league  from  Lille,  I  remembered  that  I  had  forgotten 
my  hospital  billet,  which  it  was  indispensably  necessary  to  produce 
before  the  municipality  of  Arras,  and  I  returned  for  it.  Arrived 
at  the  hotel,  I  went  to  the  room  we  occupied  and  knocked ;  no 
one  answered.  It  was  impossible  that  Delphine  could  be  out  so 
early,  it  being  scarcely  six  o'clock.  I  knocked  again,  and  Delphine 
opened  the  door,  stretching  her  arms  and  rubbing  her  eyes  like 
some  one  who  has  been  suddenly  awakened.  To  prove  her,  I 
proposed  that  she  should  go  with  me  to  Arras,  that  I  might 
present  her  to  my  parents,  and  she  very  tranquilly  agreed.  My 
suspicions  were  disappearing,  and  yet  something  whispered  to  me 
that  she  was  deceiving  me.  I  at  length  perceived  that  she  fre- 
quently glanced  towards  the  wardrobe.  I  pretended  a  desire  to 
open  it,  which  my  chaste  betrothed  opposed,  and  gave  me  one  of 
those  excuses  which  a  woman  always  has  ready.  But  I  was  deter- 
mined ;  and  at  length  opened  the  closet,  where  I  found  concealed, 
beneath  a  heap  of  dirty  linen,  the  doctor  who  had  attended  me 
during  my  convalescence.  He  was  old,  ugly,  and  misshapen. 
The  first  feeling  was  the  humiliation  of  having  such  a  rival ;  and 
yet  I  should  have  been  more  enraged  at  finding  a  good-looking 
fellow,  but  this  I  leave  for  the  decision  of  the  numerous  lovers  who 
have  been  similarly  circumstanced.  As  for  me,  I  wished  to  begin 
by  knocking  out  the  brains  of  the  intriguing  Esculapius,  but 
(which  seldom  happened  to  me)  reflection  restrained  me.  We 
were  in  a  town  of  war,  where  they  might  play  me  some  trick  about 
my  leave  of  absence.  Besides,  Delphine  was  not  my  wife  ;  I  had  no 
right  over  her.  I  determined  on  kicking  her  out ;  after  which,  I 
threw  her  from  the  window  her  clothes,  and  money  enough  to  take 
her  to  Ghent.  I  allowed  myself  to  retain  the  remainder  of  the 
money,  which  I  thought  I  had  lawfully  acquired,  since  I  had 
directed  the  splendid  expedition  which  had  rescued  it  from  the 
clutch  of  the  Austrians.  I  forgot  to  say  that  I  allowed  the  doctor 
to  return  unmolested. 

Having  got  rid  of  my  faithless  she,  I  determined  on  remaining 
at  Lille,  until  the  time  of  my  furlough  should  expire ;  but  it  is  as 
easy  to  conceal  one's  self  in  tins  city  as  at  Paris,  and  my  residence 


MARRIAGE.  33 

would  have  been  undisturbed  but  for  an  affair  of  gallantry  of  which 
I  shall  spare  the  details.  It  will  suffice  to  say,  that  being  arrested 
in  female  attire,  at  the  moment  I  was  flying  from  the  rage  of  a 
jealous  husband,  I  was  taken  to  the  police  office,  where  I  at  first 
obstinately  refused  to  give  any  account  of  myself;  for  in  fact,  by 
speaking,  I  should  either  destroy  the  female  who  had  been  kind 
to  me,  or  announce  myself  as  a  deserter.  Some  hours'  confine- 
ment changed  my  resolution ;  a  superior  officer,  to  whom  I  had 
appealed  to  receive  my  declaration,  and  to  whom  I  candidly  stated 
the  facts,  seemed  to  take  some  interest  for  me.  The  command- 
ant-general of  the  division  wished  to  hear  from  my  own  lips  this 
recital,  which  made  him  laugh  to  excess.  He  then  gave  orders 
that  I  should  be  set  at  liberty  ;  and  caused  a  line  forthwith  to  be 
given  to  me  to  rejoin  the  28th  battalion  at  Brabant ;  but  instead  of 
following  this  destination,  I  went  to  Arras,  determined  only  to 
enter  the  service  again  at  the  last  extremity. 

My  first  visit  was  to  the  patriot  Chevalier.  His  influence  with 
Joseph  Lebon  made  me  hope  that  I  should  obtain  through  his 
interest  an  extension  of  leave,  which  he  procured  for  me,  and  I 
was  again  introduced  to  the  family  of  my  benefactor.  His  sister, 
whose  kind  intentions  towards  me  are  already  known,  redoubled 
her  kindness ;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  the  habit  of  seeing  her 
daily  familiarized  me  with  her  ugliness  ;  in  short,  matters  came 
to  such  a  point  that  I  was  not  at  all  surprised  to  hear  one  day  that 
she  was  pregnant  She  made  no  mention  of  marriage,  not  even 
pronouncing  the  word  ;  but  I  saw  but  too  clearly,  that  to  this  com- 
plexion it  must  come  at  last,  lest  I  should  incur  the  vengeance  of 
her  brother,  who  would  not  have  hesitated  to  denounce  me  as  an 
aristocrat,  and,  moreover,  a  deserter.  My  parents,  struck  with  all 
these  considerations,  and  conceiving  the  hope  of  keeping  me  near 
them,  gave  their  consent  to  the  marriage,  which  the  Chevalier 
family  were  very  anxious  about.  It  was  at  last  settled,  and  I 
became  a  husband  at  eighteen  years  of  age.  I  thought  myself  also 
almost  a  father  of  a  family,  but  scarcely  had  a  few  days  elapsed, 
when  my  wife  confessed  th'at  her  pretended  pregnancy  was  the 
result  of  a  plan  to  induce  me  to  marry  her.  The  excessive  satis- 
faction which  such  an  avowal  gave  me,  may  be  conceived;  but  the 
same  motives  which  had  decided  me  on  contracting  the  alliance 
compelled  me  to  be  silent ;  and  I  determined  to  keep  my  own 
counsel,  enraged  as  I  was.  A  mercer's  shop  which  my  wife  had 
opened,  turned  out  very  badly ;  I  thought  that  I  found  the  cause 
of  it  in  the  repeated  absence  of  my  wife,  who  was  all  day  at  her 
brother's.  I  made  my  observations  ;  and  received  orders  to  rejoin 
my  regiment  at  Tournay.  I  might  have  complained  of  this  expe- 


34  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

ditious  mode  of  getting  rid  of  a  troublesome  husband  ;  but  I  was 
so  much  tired  of  the  joke  of  Chevalier,  that  I  resumed  with  joy  my 
uniform,  which  I  had  cast  off  with  so  much  pleasure. 

At  Tournay,  a  veteran  officer  of  the  Bourbon  regiment,  then 
adjutant-general,  attached  me  to  his  office  as  a  deputy,  and 
particularly  in  the  serving  out  of  clothing.  Business  soon  de- 
manded that  a  man  of  trust  should  be  despatched  to  Arras. 
I  set  out  post,  and  arrived  in  the  city  at  eleven  o'clock  at  night 
As  I  was  charged  with  orders,  the  gates  were  opened  to  me,  and 
by  an  impulse,  for  which  I  cannot  account,  I  was  induced  to  run 
to  my  wife's  abode.  I  knocked  for  a  long  time  and  no  one 
answered.  A  neighbour  at  length  opened  the  door,  and  I  ran  up 
stairs  with  all  speed  to  my  wife's  chamber.  On  approaching,  I 
heard  the  clank  of  a  falling  sabre,  then  a  window  opened,  and  a 
man  leaped  out  into  the  street.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  they 
recognised  my  voice.  I  went  downstairs  with  great  haste,  and 
soon  overtook  my  Lovelace,  in  whom  I  recognised  an  adjutant- 
major  of  the  iyth  Horse  Chasseurs,  quartered  at  Arras.  He  was 
half-naked;  I  led  him  back  to  my  conjugal  domicile,  when  he 
finished  his  toilette,  and  we  then  separated,  on  agreeing  to  fight 
the  next  day. 

This  scene  had  roused  the  whole  neighbourhood.  The  greater 
part  of  the  people  assembled  at  their  windows  had  seen  me  seize 
on  the  guilty  adjutant,  who  had  been  found  guilty  of  the  fact  in 
their  presence.  I  had  no  lack  of  witnesses  to  prove  and  obtain 
the  divorce,  and  that  was  what  I  intended  to  do ;  but  the  family 
of  my  chaste  wife,  who  were  desirous  of  keeping  a  protector  for 
her,  exerted  themselves  to  check  my  measures,  or  at  least  para- 
lyze them.  The  next  day,  before  I  could  meet  the  adjutant-major, 
I  was  arrested  by  the  police  and  by  gendarmes,  who  spoke  of 
placing  me  in  the  Baudets.  Fortunately  for  me,  I  plucked  up 
courage,  as  I  saw  that  there  was  nothing  discouraging  in  my  situa- 
tion :  I  demanded  to  be  carried  before  Joseph  Lebon,  which  could 
not  be  denied  me.  I  appeared  before  the  representative  of  the 
people,  whom  I  found  surrounded  by  an  enormous  pile  of  letters 
and  papers  :  '  What,  is  it  you,'  said  he  to  me,  '  who  come  here  with- 
out permission — and  for  maltreating  your  wife,  too  ?'  I  saw  what 
course  I  should  pursue,  I  produced  my  orders,  I  called  for  the 
testimony  of  my  neighbours  against  my  wife,  and  that  of  the 
adjutant-major  himself,  who  could  not  gainsay  the  facts.  Indeed, 
I  so  clearly  explained  the  affair,  that  Joseph  Lebon  was  forced 
to  confess  that  the  wrongs  were  not  of  my  committing  ;  but  out  of 
regard,  however,  to  his  friend  Chevalier,  he  made  me  promise  not 
to  remain  long  at  Arras  ;  and  as  I  feared  the  wind  might  veer 


BRUSSELS.  35 

against  me,  as  I  had  seen  it  with  many  others,  I  undertook  to 
comply  with  his  request  as  promptly  as  possible.  Having  com- 
pleted my  mission,  I  bade  farewell  to  all  my  friends,  and  the  next 
morning  found  me  on  the  road  to  Tournay. 


CHAPTER   III. 

Brussels — A  forger — The  roving  army — The  baroness  and  the  baker-boy— 
Arrival  at  Paris. 

I  DID  not  find  the  adjutant-general  at  Tournay ;  he  had  set  out  for 
Brussels,  and  I  set  out  on  the  following  day  by  the  diligence  to 
join  him  there.  At  the  first  glance,  I  recognised  amongst  the 
travellers  those  individuals  whom  I  had  known  at  Lille,  as 
passing  the  whole  day  at  the  public-houses,  and  living  in  a  very 
suspicious  manner.  To  my  great  astonishment,  I  found  them 
clothed  in  uniforms  of  different  regiments,  one  having  the  epau- 
lettes of  lieutenant-colonel,  the  others  those  of  captain  or  lieutenant. 
How  can  they  have  got  them,  thought  I,  for  they  have  never  seen 
service  ?  I  was  lost  in  conjecture.  On  their  side,  they  appeared 
at  first  much  confused  at  the  rencontre ;  but  soon  recovering,  they 
testified  a  mutual  surprise  at  finding  me  only  a  plain  soldier. 
When  I  had  explained  to  them  how  the  regulation  of  the  battalion 
had  deprived  me  of  my  rank,  the  lieutenant-colonel  promised  me 
his  protection,  which  I  accepted,  although  scarcely  knowing  what 
to  think  of  my  protector.  I  saw  clearly,  however,  that  he  had 
plenty  of  money,  and  paid  for  all  at  the  table  d'hote,  where  he 
testified  a  violent  republican  feeling,  at  the  same  time  affecting  to 
have  sprung  from  an  ancient  family. 

I  was  not  more  fortunate  at  Brussels  than  at  Tournay ;  the 
adjutant-general,  who  seemed  to  fly  from  me,  had  gone  to  Liege, 
for  which  place  I  set  out,  relying  on  not  taking  a  useless  journey 
this  time  ;  but  on  arriving,  I  learnt  that  my  man  had  taken  the 
road  to  Paris  on  the  previous  evening,  having  been  summoned  to 
appear  at  the  bar  of  the  Convention.  His  absence  would  not  be 
longer  than  a  fortnight.  I  waited,  but  no  one  arrived.  Another 
month  passed,  and  still  no  adjutant.  My  cash  was  sensibly  di- 
minishing, and  I  resolved  on  returning  to  Brussels,  where  I  hoped 
to  find  some  means  of  extricating  myself  from  my  embarrassment. 
To  speak  with  that  candour  on  which  I  pique  myself  in  giving  this 
history  of  my  life,  I  must  confess  that  I  had  begun  not  to  be  over 
scrupulous  in  my  choice  of  these  means ;  my  education  had  not 

3—2 


36  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

made  me  a  very  precise  man  in  such  matters,  and  the  injurious 
society  of  a  garrison,  which  I  had  been  used  to  from  my  child- 
hood, had  corrupted  a  naturally  honourable  mind. 

It  was,  then,  without  doing  much  violence  to  my  delicacy,  that  I 
saw  myself  installed,  at  Brussels,  with  a  gay  lady  of  my  acquaint- 
ance, who,  after  having  been  patronized  by  General  Van-der-Nott, 
had  fallen  a  little  lower  into  public  society.  Idle,  as  are  all  who 
have  but  a  precarious  mode  of  existence,  I  passed  whole  days 
and  nights  at  the  Cafe  Turc,  or  the  Caf£  de  la  Monnaie,  the 
rendezvous  of  knights  of  the  post,  and  professed  gamblers.  These 
fellows  spent  liberally,  and  played  the  devil's  games  ;  and  as  they 
had  no  ostensible  means  of  living,  I  could  not  divine  how  they 
managed  to  carry  on  the  war.  A  young  fellow  with  whom  I  had 
associated  myself,  and  whom  I  questioned  on  this  subject,  appeared 
struck  at  my  inexperience,  and  I  had  the  greatest  difficulty  in  per- 
suading him  that  I  was  really  a  novice.  '  The  men  whom  you  see 
there  every  day,  and  all  day,'  said  he,  '  are  sharpers ;  those  who 
only  come  once,  and  do  not  appear  again,  are  dupes,  who  lose 
their  money.' 

Thus  instructed,  I  made  many  remarks,  which  till  then  had 
escaped  me  ;  I  saw  tricks  of  sleight  of  hand  almost  incredible ;  and 
what  proved  that  there  was  still  something  good  within  me,  I  was 
often  tempted  to  tell  the  pigeon  whom  they  plucked.  What  hap- 
pened to  me  will  prove  that  my  intentions  were  guessed. 

A  party  was  one  evening  engaged  at  the  Cafe  Turc  ;  the  dupe 
(le  gonse)  lost  fifty  louis,  and,  demanding  his  revenge  on  the  next 
day,  went  away.  Scarcely  had  he  gone  out,  when  the  winner, 
whom  I  now  see  daily  in  the  streets  of  Paris,  approached  me,  and 
laid  with  an  air  of  simplicity,  '  On  my  word,  sir,  we  have  played 
with  luck,  and  you  were  right  to  bet  on  me  ;  I  have  won  ten  games, 
which,  at  four  crowns  a  game,  will  make  your  share  ten  louis — 
here  they  are.'  I  told  him  that  he  was  mistaken,  and  that  I  had 
not  interested  myself  in  his  play ;  he  made  me  no  answer,  but  put 
the  ten  louis  in  my  hand.  '  Take  it,'  said  the  young  man  who  had 
initiated  me  into  these  mysteries,  and  who  was  sitting  next  to  me, 
'take  it  and  follow  me.'  I  obeyed  mechanically,  and  when  we 
reached  the  street,  my  mentor  added,  *  They  have  discovered  that 
you  watch  the  games,  and  fear  lest  you  should  blow  the  concern  ; 
and  as  there  are  no  means  of  intimidating  you,  because  they  know 
that  you  have  a  strong  arm  and  a  mischievous  hand,  they  have 
resolved  on  giving  you  a  slice  of  the  cake,  so  you  have  a  good 
means  of  existence  before  you :  the  two  coffee-houses  will  be  milch- 
cows  to  you,  whence  you  may  draw  your  four  or  six  crowns  a  day.' 
In  spite  of  the  accommodating  propensity  of  my  conscience,  I 


A  NEW  SOURCE  OF  INCOME.  37 

was  desirous  of  replying  and  making  some  observations — '  You  are 
a  child/  said  my  honourable  friend  ;  '  we  do  not  talk  of  robbery 
here — it  is  fortune  only ;  and  believe  me,  matters  pass  in  the 
drawing-room  as  they  do  at  the  tavern — there  they  bubble,  that  is 
the  word  ;  and  the  merchant,  who  in  the  morning  whilst  at  his 
desk  would  think  it  a  crime  to  rob  you  of  an  hour's  interest,  would 
very  quietly  cheat  you  at  the  gaming-table  in  the  evening.'  How 
could  I  answer  such  unanswerable  arguments  ?  I  had  nothing  to 
reply  but  to  keep  the  money,  which  I  did. 

These  small  dividends,  joined  to  a  remittance  of  a  hundred 
crowns  from  my  mother,  enabled  me  to  dash  a  little,  and  to  show 
my  gratitude  to  Emily,  whose  devotion  to  me  I  was  not  insensible 
of.  Matters  were  in  this  agreeable  train  when  I  was  one  evening 
arrested  at  the  Theatre  du  Pare,  by  several  police-officers,  and 
desired  to  produce  my  papers.  This  would  have  been  a  dangerous 
exhibition,  and  I  said  that  I  had  none.  They  conducted  me  to 
the  Madelonettes ;  and  the  next  morning,  at  my  examination,  I 
found  that  I  was  unknown,  and  they  had  mistaken  me  for  another 
person.  I  said  that  my  name  was  Rousseau,  born  at  Lille,  and 
added,  that  I  had  come  to  Brussels  on  pleasure,  and  had  not 
thought  it  expedient  to  provide  myself  with  papers.  I  then  asked 
to  be  conducted  to  Lille,  at  my  own  expense,  by  two  gendarmes, 
which  was  granted,  and  for  a  few  crowns  my  escort  agreed  that 
poor  Emily  should  accompany  me. 

Having  left  Brussels,  I  was  so  far  safe ;  but  it  was  still  more 
important  that  I  should  not  reach  Lille,  where  I  should  be  cer- 
tainly recognised  as  a  deserter.  Escape  must  be  made  at  all  risks, 
and  this  was  Emily's  opinion  wjien  I  communicated  my  intention 
to  her,  and  we  executed  our  preconcerted  plan  on  reaching 
Tournay.  I  told  the  gendarmes  that  before  they  left  me  at  Lille 
the  next  day,  where  I  should  be  at  once  set  at  liberty,  I  wished  to 
treat  them  with  a  good  supper.  Already  taken  with  my  liberality 
and  mirth,  they  accepted  the  invitation  with  much  willingness,  and 
in  the  evening,  whilst  they  were  sleeping  on  the  table,  stupefied 
with  rum  and  beer,  thinking  me  in  the  same  condition,  I  descended 
by  the  sheets  from  the  second-floor  window.  Emily  followed,  and 
we  struck  into  the  cross-roads,  where  they  would  not  think  of  pur- 
suing us.  We  thus  reached  the  suburbs  of  Notre-Dame  at  Lille, 
when  I  dressed  myself  in  the  cloak  of  the  horse-chasseurs,  taking 
the  precaution  to  put  a  black  patch  on  my  left  eye,  which  made  it 
impossible  to  recognise  me.  But  I  did  not  judge  it  prudent  to 
remain  long  in  a  city  so  near  my  birthplace,  and  we  started  for 
Ghent.  There,  by  a  rather  romantic  incident,  Emily  found  her 
father,  which  determined  her  to  return  to  her  family.  It  is  true 


38  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

that  she  would  not  consent  to  part  from  me,  but  with  an  express 
stipulation  that  I  should  rejoin  her  as  soon  as  matters  which  1 
said  called  me  to  Brussels  should  be  arranged. 

My  business  at  Brussels  was  to  begin  again  to  levy  rates  on  the  Cafe 
Turc  and  the  Cafe  de  la  Monnaie.  But  to  present  myself  at  this 
city,  I  wanted  papers  which  should  prove  that  I  was  really 
Rousseau,  born  at  Lille,  as  I  had  said  at  my  examination  before  I 
made  my  escape.  A  captain  of  Belgian  carabineers  in  the  French 
service,  named  Labbre,  undertook  for  fifteen  louis  to  supply  me 
with  the  necessary  credentials.  At  the  end  of  three  weeks  he 
brought  me  a  copy  of  my  register  of  birth,  a  passport,  and  a  cer- 
tificate of  half-pay  in  the  name  of  Rousseau,  all  done  better  than 
I  ever  saw  them  executed  by  any  other  forger.  Thus  protected,  I 
went  to  Brussels ;  the  commandant  of  the  place,  an  old  comrade 
of  Labbre's,  undertook  to  make  all  right. 

Quieted  in  this  particular,  I  hastened  to  the  Cafe  Turc.  The 
first  persons  whom  I  saw  in  the  room  were  the  pretended  officers 
with  whom  I  had  travelled.  They  received  me  with  acclamation  ; 
and  judging  from  the  recital  of  my  adventures  that  my  situation 
was  not  over  splendid,  proposed  that  I  should  take  the  rank  of 
sub-lieutenant  of  horse-chasseurs,  doubtless  because  they  saw  the 
cloak  I  wore.  So  advantageous  a  promotion  was  not  to  be  re- 
fused;  and  it  was  then  conferred  on  me:  and  when  I  said 
Rousseau  was  only  an  assumed  name,  the  worthy  lieutenant- 
colonel  told  me  to  take  any  one  which  I  preferred.  It  was  im- 
possible to  be  more  obliging.  I  resolved  on  keeping  the  name  of 
Rousseau,  on  which  they  gave  me,  not  a  brevet,  but  a  line  of  route 
for  a  sub-lieutenant  of  the  6th  chasseurs,  travelling  with  his  horse, 
and  being  entitled  to  lodgings  and  rations. 

I  thus  found  myself  incorporated  with  the  roving  army  (arm'ee 
roulante)  composed  of  officers  without  brevet,  and  without  troops, 
and  who,  furnished  with  false  certificates  and  false  lines  of  march, 
imposed  the  more  easily  on  the  commissaries  at  war,  as  there  was 
less  method  at  this  period  in  the  military  arrangements.  It  is  certain 
that,  during  a  tour  which  we  made  through  the  Netherlands,  we  got 
all  our  allowances  without  the  least  demur.  Yet  the  roving  army  was 
not  then  composed  of  less  than  two  thousand  adventurers,  who 
lived  like  fishes  in  water.  What  is  still  more  curious  is,  that  they 
promoted  themselves  as  rapidly  as  circumstances  would  allow;  an 
advancement  was  the  more  profitable,  as  increase  of  rank  brought 
increase  of  allowances.  I  passed  in  this  manner  to  be  captain  of 
hussars ;  one  of  my  comrades  became  chief  of  a  battalion ;  but 
what  most  astonished  me  was  the  promotion  of  Auffray,  our 
lieutenant-colonel,  to  the  rank  of  brigadier-general.  It  is  true 


THE  BELGIAN  BARONESS.  39 

that  if  the  importance  of  the  rank  and  the  notoriety  of  a  promotion 
of  this  kind  rendered  it  more  difficult  to  keep  up  the  deception, 
yet  the  very  audacity  of  such  a  step  bade  defiance  to  suspicion. 
Returned  to  Brussels,  we  showed  our  billets,  and  I  was  sent  to 

a  rich  widow,  the  Baroness  d'l .  I  was  received  in  the  manner 

in  which  all  Frenchmen  were  welcomed  at  Brussels  at  this  period 
— that  is,  with  open  arms.  A  very  handsome  bedchamber  was 
placed  at  my  sole  disposal,  and  my  hostess,  delighted  at  my  re- 
served conduct,  assured  me  in  the  most  gracious  manner,  that  if 
her  hours  suited  me,  a  place  at  her  table  would  always  be  prepared 
for  me.  It  was  impossible  to  resist,  such  pressing  politeness,  and 
I  was  profuse  in  my  thanks,  and  I  cook  my  seat  at  her  board  the 
same  day  with  three  other  guests,  who  were  ladies,  older  than  the 
baroness,  who  was  about  fifty.  They  were  all  charmed  with  the 
prepossessing  manners  of  the  captain  of  hussars.  At  Paris  I  should 
have  felt  somewhat  awkward  in  such  society,  but  I  did  very  well  at 
Brussels  for  a  young  man  whose  premature  introduction  to  the 
world  had  necessarily  injured  his  education.  The  baroness  doubt- 
lessly made  some  such  reflections,  for  she  paid  me  such  little 
attention  as  gave  me  much  food  for  thought. 

As  I  was  sometimes  absent  to  dine  with  the  general,  whose  in- 
vitations I  told  her  it  was  impossible  to  refuse,  she  desired  me  to 
present  him  and  my  other  friends  to  her.  At  first  I  was  not  over 
desirous  of  introducing  my  associates  to  the  society  of  this  lady, 
who  saw  much  company,  and  might  have  guests  at  her  house  who 
might  guess  our  little  speculations.  But  the  baroness  insisted  on 
it,  and  I  consented,  at  the  same  time  stipulating  that  the  general 
should  only  meet  a  small  party,  as  he  was  desirous  of  keeping  up 
a  sort  of  incognito.  He  came  ;  and  the  baroness,  who  received 
him  with  marked  attention,  seated  him  near  her  and  talked  to  him 
for  so  long  a  time  in  an  undertone  that  I  was  rather  piqued.  To 
disturb  this  tcte-a-tcte,  I  imagined  that  it  would  be  a  good  plan  to 
ask  the  general  to  sing  us  something,  and  accompany  himself  on 
the  piano.  I  knew  that  he  could  not  make  out  a  note,  but  I  relied 
that  the  usual  persuasions  which  guests  make  on  such  occasions 
would  at  least  occupy  his  attention  for  some  minutes.  My  stratagem 
only  half  succeeded  ;  the  lieutenant-colonel,  who  was  of  the  party, 
seeing  that  the  general  was  so  much  pressed,  kindly  offered  himself 
as  a  substitute,  and  accordingly  seated  himself  at  the  piano,  and 
sung  some  little  ditties  with  sufficient  taste  to  procure  him  universal 
approbation,  whilst  I  all  the  time  wished  him  at  the  devil. 

At  last  this  interminable  evening  concluded,  and  each  person 
withdrew,  I  raging  with  anger  and  plotting  revenge  against  the  rival 
who  I  imagined  was  about  to  carry  off  from  me,  I  will  not  say  the 


40  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

love,  but  the  kind  attentions  of  the  baroness.  Full  of  this  idea,  I 
went  to  my  general  at  his  rising,  who  was  much  surprised  to  see 
me  so  early.  '  Do  you  know/  said  he,  without  giving  me  time  to 
break  in  upon  his  conversation,  '  do  you  know,  my  friend,  that  the 

baroness  is '     '  Who  spoke  of  the  baroness  ?'    interrupted  I 

abruptly,  *  it  is  no  matter  what  she  is  or  what  she  is  not.' — *  So 
much  the  worse,'  he  replied,  '  if  you  are  not  speaking  of  her,  I 
have  nothing  to  understand.'  And,  continuing  thus  to  puzzle  me 
for  some  time,  he  ended  by  telling  me  that  his  conversation  with 
the  baroness  was  concerning  me  only,  and  that  he  had  so  far 
pushed  my  interest,  that  he  believed  that  she  was  quite  disposed 
to — to  marry  me. 

I  at  first  thought  that  my  poor  comrade's  head  was  turned. 
That  one  of  the  richest  women  of  rank  in  the  United  Provinces 
would  marry  an  adventurer,  of  whose  family,  fortune,  and  ancestors 
she  knew  nothing,  was  an  idea  that  would  have  staggered  the  most 
credulous.  Ought  I,  moreover,  to  engage  in  a  deceit  which  must 
be  discovered,  sooner  or  later,  and  must  ruin  me  ?  Besides,  was 
I  not  really  and  actually  married  at  Arras  ?  These  objections,  and 
many  others,  which  the  remorse  I  must  experience  at  deceiving 
the  excellent  woman  who  had  treated  me  so  kindly  excited  in  my 
mind,  did  not  for  an  instant  stop  my  comrade,  who  thus  answered 
them  : 

*  All  you  say  is  very  fine,  and  I  am  quite  of  your  opinion  ;  and 
to  follow  my  natural  bias  for  virtuous  behaviour,  I  only  want 
;£i 0,000  a-year.  But  I  see  no  reason  for  being  scrupulous  in 
your  case.  What  does  the  baroness  want  ?  A  husband,  and  a 
husband  to  her  liking.  Are  you  not  that  husband  ?  Are  you  not 
determined  to  pay  her  every  attention,  and  to  treat  her  as  a  person 
who  is  necessary  to  you,  and  of  whom  you  have  had  no  cause  to 
complain?  You  talk  of  the  inequality  of  your  fortunes — the 
baroness  thinks  not  of  that.  You  only  want,  to  complete  the 
matter,  one  single  thing — a  title  of  rank,  which  I  will  give  you— 
yes,  I  will  give  it  to  you  !  Why  do  you  stare  so  ?  Listen,  and  do 
not  interrupt  me.  You  must  be  acquainted  with  some  young 
nobleman  of  your  own  age  and  country ;  you  are  he,  and  your 
parents  have  emigrated  and  are  now  at  Hamburgh.  You  entered 
France  to  endeavour  to  recover  a  third  of  the  value  of  your 
paternal  property,  and  to  carry  off  the  plate  and  a  thousand  double- 
louis  concealed  beneath  the  flooring  of  the  drawing-room  at  the 
breaking  out  of  the  revolution  :  the  presence  of  some  strangers, 
the  haste  of  departure,  which  an  arrest  issued  against  your  father 
would  not  allow  you  to  delay,  has  prevented  you  from  getting  this 
treasure.  Arrived  in  this  country,  disguised  as  a  journeyman 


THE  COUNT  DE  B .  41 

tanner,  you  were  denounced  by  the  very  person  who  had  pledged 
himself  to  aid  your  enterprise;  outlawed  by  the  sentence  of 
the  republican  authorities,  you  were  nearly  losing  your  head  on 
the  scaffold,  when  I  fell  in  with  you,  half  dead  from  inquietude 
and  necessity.  An  old  friend  of  the  family,  I  procured  for  you  the 
brevet  of  an  officer  of  hussars  under  the  name  of  Rousseau,  until 
an  opportunity  should  offer  of  rejoining  your  noble  parents  at 
Hamburgh.  The  baroness  already  knows  all  this ;  yes,  all,  except 
your  name,  which,  for  appearances'  sake,  I  did  not  tell  her ,  but  in 
fact,  because  I  did  not  know  what  appellation  you  might  choose 
to  assume.  That  is  a  confidence  which  I  left  for  yourself  to 
communicate.  Thus  the  affair  is  quite  settled,  and  you  are  a 
gentleman,  nothing  jean  be  said  against  that.  Say  nothing  to  me 
of  your  jade  of  a  wife;  you  were  divorced  at  Arras  under  the  name 
of  Vidocq,  and  you  are  married  at  Brussels  under  the  name  of 

Count  B .     Now  listen  to  me      So  far,  our  business  has  gone 

on  well,  but  that  may  be  entirely  marred  at  any  moment.  We 
have  already  met  with  some  very  inquisitive  commissaries,  and  we 
may  find  others  still  less  civil,  who  may  cut  off  our  supplies  and 
send  us  to  the  fleet  at  Toulon.  You  understand  me,  I  know.  The 
best  that  can  happen  to  you  will  be  to  take  up  your  knapsack  and 
accoutrements  in  your  old  regiment,  or  else  be  shot  for  a  deserter ; 
but  by  marrying,  you  acquire  the  means  of  a  splendid  life,  and  will 
be  enabled  to  assist  your  friends.  Since  we  have  come  to  this  point, 
let  us  understand  each  other ;  your  wife  has  a  hundred  thousand 
florins  a-year ;  there  are  three  of  us,  and  you  shall  give  us  each  a 
pension  of  a  thousand  crowns,  payable  in  advance,  and  I  shall 
expect  besides  a  premium  of  thirty  thousand  francs  for  having 
made  a  count  of  a  baker's  son.' 

I  was  quite  stupefied ;  but  this  harangue,  in  which  the  general 
had  so  skilfully  stated  all  the  difficulties  of  my  situation,  overcame 
all  my  opposition,  which,  to  say  the  truth,  was  not  very  obstinate.  I 
agreed  to  everything,  and  then  returned  to  the  baroness.  The 

Count  de  B fell  at  her  feet ;  and  the  scene  was  so  well  played, 

and,  though  it  may  be  scarcely  believed,  I  entered  so  completely 
into  the  spirit  of  my  part,  that  I  even  for  a  moment  surprised 
myself — which  I  am  told  sometimes  happens  to  impostors.  The 
baroness  was  charmed  at  the  sallies  and  sentiment  with  which  my 
situation  inspired  me.  The  general  was  rejoiced  with  my  success, 
as  was  every  other  person.  Several  expressions  escaped  me  which 
savoured  a  little  of  the  canteen,  but  the  general  had  told  the 
baroness  that  political  events  had  caused  my  education  to  be 
strangely  neglected,  and  this  explanation  was  satisfactory  to  her. 
Subsequently,  Marshal  Suchet  was  no  less  easily  satisfied,  when 


42  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

Coignard,  addressing  him  as  (M.  le  dfo^#<?d'Albufera,'excused  himself 
by  the  plea,  that  having  emigrated  when  very  young,  he  could  conse- 
quently have  but  a  very  imperfect  knowledge  of  the  French  language. 

We  sat  down  to  table  and  dined  in  high  spirits.  After  the 
dessert  the  baroness  whispered  me  thus  :  *  I  know,  my  dear  sir, 
that  your  fortune  is  in  the  hands  of  the  Jacobins,  and  your  parents 
at  Hamburgh  may  be  in  some  difficulty ;  oblige  me  by  remitting 
to  them  a  bill  for  three  thousand  florins,  which  my  banker  will 
send  you  to-morrow  morning.'  I  was  about  to  express  my  thanks, 
when  she  rose  from  the  table  and  went  into  the  drawing-room.  I 
took  the  opportunity  of  telling  the  general  what  had  just  occurred. 
'  Well,  simpleton/  said  he,  *  do  you  think  you  are  telling  me  any 
news  ?  Was  it  not  I  who  hinted  to  the  baroness  that  your  parents 
must  be  in  want  of  money.  We  are  at  this  moment  your  parents 
— our  funds  are  low;  and  to  run  any  risk  in  procuring  more,  would 
be  to  hazard  too  foolishly  the  success  of  this  adventure  ;  I  will 
undertake  to  negotiate  the  bill.  At  the  same  time  I  suggested 
to  the  baroness  that  a  supply  of  cash  was  needed  for  you  to  make 
some  figure  before  your  marriage,  and  it  is  understood  that  from 
now  until  the  consummation  of  the  marriage  you  shall  have  five 
hundred  florins  a  month.'  I  found  the  next  day  this  sum  on  my 
dressing-table,  where  also  was  placed  a  handsome  dressing-case  and 
some  trinkets. 

Yet  the  register  of  my  birth,  as  Count  de  B ,  whose  name  I 

had  assumed,  and  which  the  general  wished  to  procure,  thinking 
that  the  other  credentials  might  be  forged,  did  not  arrive ;  but  the 
baroness,  whose  blindness  must  appear  inconceivable,  to  those  who 
are  not  in  a  situation  to  know  to  what  an  extent  credulity  can  go, 
and  the  audacity  of  some  rogues,  consented  to  marry  me  under 
the  name  of  Rousseau.  I  had  all  the  necessary  papers  to  justify 
my  claim  to  that.  Nothing  was  wanting  but  my  father's  consent ; 
that  was  easily  procured  through  the  instrumentality  of  Labbre, 
whom  we  had  under  our  thumb ;  but  although  the  baroness  had 
consented  to  marrying  me  under  a  name  which  she  knew  was  not 
my  own,  yet  she  felt  some  repugnance  at  being  as  it  were  an 
accomplice  in  a  falsehood,  for  which  the  only  excuse  was,  that  it 
saved  my  head  from  the  block.  Whilst  we  were  planning  means 
for  avoiding  this,  we  learnt  the  number  of  the  armee  roulante  had 
become  so  considerable,  that  the  eyes  of  the  Government  were 
opened,  and  that  the  most  severe  orders  had  been  issued  to  check 
the  abuse.  We  divested  ourselves  of  uniforms,  believing  that  we 
should  have  nothing  to  fear,  but  the  inquiries  were  so  active  that 
the  general  was  compelled  to  set  out  suddenly  for  Namur,  where 
he  thought  he  should  be  less  liable  to  detection,  I  explained  his 


A  REVELATION.  43 

abrupt  departure  to  the  baroness,  by  attributing  it  to  the  general's 
having  been  in  fear  of  a  reprimand  for  having  procured  me  a  com- 
mission under  an  assumed  name.  This  circumstance  made  her 
very  uneasy  for  me,  and  I  could  only  calm  her  fears  by  setting  out 
for  Breda,  to  which  place*  she  would  accompany  me. 

I  am  not  very  well  calculated  to  play  the  sentimental,  and  it 
would  compromise  the  tact  and  finesse,  for  which  I  have  some 
credit,  if  I  made  a  parade  and  fuss,  but  I  may  be  believed  when  1 
say  so  much  attachment  affected  me.  The  whispers  of  remorse, 
to  which  we  cannot  be  always  deaf  at  nineteen,  were  heard ;  I  saw 
the  abyss  into  which  I  was  leading  an  admirable  woman  who  had 
been  so  generous  towards  me ;  I  pictured  her  as  driving  from  her 
with  horror  the  deserter,  the  vagabond,  the  bigamist,  the  forger ; 
and  this  idea  determined  me  to  tell  her  all.  Away  from  those 
who  had  drawn  me  into  this  imposture,  and  who  had  just  been 
arrested  at  Namur,  I  decided  on  the  measures  I  would  adopt ;  and 
one  evening,  after  supper,  I  determined  on  breaking  the  ice. 
Without  detailing  my  adventures,  I  told  the  baroness,  that  circum- 
stances which  I  could  not  explain  compelled  me  to  appear  at 
Brussels  under  the  two  names  by  which  she  knew  me,  but  that 
neither  was  the  real  one.  I  added,  that  events  forced  me  to  quit 
the  Netherlands  without  the  power  of  contracting  a  union 
which  would  have  ensured  my  happiness,  but  that  I  should  for 
ever  preserve  the  recollection  of  the  kindness  which  she  had  so 
generously  evinced  for  me. 

I  spoke  long  and  with  an  emotion  which  increased  my  utterance 
and  warmth  of  manner — and  I  am  now  astonished  at  the  facility 
of  my  own  eloquence  when  I  think  of  it — but  I  feared  to  hear  the 
reply  of  the  bareness*  Motionless,  pale,  and  with  a  glazed  eye, 
she  heard  me  without  interruption ;  then  looking  at  me  with  a 
glance  of  horror,  she  arose  abruptly  and  ran  to  shut  herself  up  in 
her  room.  I  never  saw  her  again  Enlightened  by  my  confession, 
and  by  some  words  which  without  doubt  fell  from  me  in  the  em- 
barrassment of  the  moment,  she  saw  the  dangers  from  which  she 
had  escaped,  and  unjustly  suspected  me  perhaps  of  being  more 
culpable  than  I  was ;  she  might  think  that  she  had  escaped  from 
some  vile  criminal,  whose  hands  might  have  been  embrued  in 
blood  !  On  the  other  hand,  if  this  complication  of  disguises  might 
render  her  more  apprehensive,  the  spontaneous  avowal  that  I  had 
made  was  sufficient  to  have  quelled  her  fears  ;  and  this  idea  pro- 
bably took  hold  of  her,  for  the  next  day  when  I  arose,  the  landlord 
gave  me  a  casket,  containing  fifteen  thousand  francs  in  gold,  which 
the  baroness  had  left  for  me  before  her  departure,  at  one  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  which  I  was  glad  to  hear  of,  as  her  presence 


44  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

would  have  troubled  me.  Nothing  now  detaining  me  at  Breda,  I 
packed  my  trunks,  and  some  hours  afterwards  set  out  for  Am- 
sterdam. 

I  have  already  said,  and  now  repeat,  that  certain  portions  of 
this  adventure  may  appear  unnatural,  and  some  may  call  them 
altogether  false,  but  nothing  is  more  true.  The  initials  I  have 
given  will  suffice  to  explain  it  to  any  person  who  knew  Brussels 
thirty  years  ago.  Besides,  there  is  nothing  uncommon  in  the 
affair,  nothing  more  than  is  read  of  in  the  commonest  romance. 
If  I  have  entered  into  minute  details,  it  is  not  to  ensure  a  melo- 
dramatic effect,  but  with  the  intention  of  putting. too  credulous  per- 
sons on  their  guard  against  a  species  of  deception  more  frequently 
employed,  and  with  more  success,  than  may  be  generally  thought, 
in  all  classes  of  society ,  and  such  is  the  aim  of  these  Memoirs. 
Let  them  be  reflected  on  in  every  particular,  and  who  knows  but 
some  fine  morning  the  duties  of  attorney-general,  judge,  gendarme, 
and  agent  of  police,  may  be  discovered  to  have  become  sinecures. 

My  stay  at  Amsterdam  was  very  short  Having  converted  into 
cash  two  bills  of  those  left  me  by  the  baroness,  I  set  out,  and  on 
the  2nd  of  March,  1796,  made  my  entrance  into  the  capital, 
where  at  a  future  day  my  name  was  destined  to  make  some  noise. 
I  put  up  at  the  Hotel  du  Gaillard-Bois  in  Rue  de  1'Echelle,  and 
first  employed  myself  in  changing  my  ducats  into  French  money, 
and  in  selling  a  quantity  of  small  jewellery  and  trinkets,  now  super- 
fluous to  me,  as  I  resolved  on  establishing  myself  in  some  village 
in  the  environs,  and  entering  into  some  business ;  but  this  project 
was  not  to  be  realized.  One  evening,  one  of  those  persons  who 
are  always  to  be  found  in  hotels  seeking  acquaintance  with  travel- 
lers, proposed  to  present  me  at  a  house  where  there  was  a  party. 
I  unfortunately  consented,  confiding  in  my  experience  of  the  Cafe 
Turc  and  Cafe  de  la  Monnaie ;  but  I  soon  found  that  gamblers  of 
Brussels  were  but  bunglers  in  comparison  with  these  gentlemen,  of 
whose  society  I  now  formed  one.  Now  the  games  of  chance  are  better 
managed  and  more  equal ;  but  at  this  time,  the  police  tolerating  those 
places,  called  etouffoirs,  they  were  not  contented  with  slipping  a  card 
or  managing  the  suits  as  they  liked — sometimes  at  M.  Lafitte's, 

Messrs,  de  S ,  jun.,  and  A.  de  la  Rock's — the  knowing  ones 

had  conventional  signs  so  combined  that  they  must  succeed.  Two 
sittings  cleared  me  of  a  hundred  louis  :  I  had  enough  to  spare  still, 
but  it  was  decreed  that  the  money  of  the  baroness  should  soon 
leave  my  company.  The  destined  agent  of  its  dissipation  was  a 
very  pretty  woman,  whom  I  met  at  a  table  d'hote  which  I  sometimes 
frequented.  Rosine,  for  that  was  her  name,  at  first  showed  an 
exemplary  disinterestedness.  A  month  afterwards  I  was  her 


ROSTNE.  45 

acknowledged  lover,  without  having  spent  anything  but  for  dinners, 
theatres,  coach-hire,  gowns,  ribands,  flowers,  etc.,  all  which  things 
cost  nothing  at  Paris,  when  we  do  not  pay  for  them. 

More  and  more  enamoured  of  Rosine,  I  never  left  her.  One 
morning,  whilst  at  breakfast,  I  found  her  thoughtful ;  I  pressed 
her  with  inquiries,  which  she  resisted,  and  finished  by  avow- 
ing to  me  that  she  was  troubled  about  a  little  trifle  due  to  her 
milliner  and  upholsterer.  I  offered  my  services  instantly,  which 
were  refused  with  remarkable  magnanimity,  and  I  could  not  even 
learn  the  names  of  her  two  creditors.  Many  very  excellent  people 
would  have  left  the  matter  here,  but,  like  a  true  knight,  I  had  not 
a  moment's  rest  until  Divine,  the  waiting-maid,  had  given  me  the 
desired  addresses.  From  the  Rue  Vivienne,  where  Rosine  lived, 
who  was  called  Madame  de  Saint  Michel,  I  ran  to  the  upholsterer, 
in  the  Rue  de  Clery.  I  told  him  the  purpose  of  my  visit,  and  he 
immediately  overwhelmed  me  with  politeness,  as  is  usually  the 
case  under  such  circumstances.  He  handed  me  the  bill,  which 
to  my  consternation,  amounted  to  twelve  hundred  francs ;  but  I 
was  too  far  gone  to  recede  now.  At  the  milliner's  the  same  scene 
took  place,  with  an  additional  hundred  francs ;  it  was  sufficient  to 
have  intimidated  the  boldest,  and  yet  matters  had  not  reached 
their  climax.  Some  days  after  I  had  paid  the  creditors,  they 
brought  me  jewels  to  purchase,  to  the  amount  of  two  thousand 
francs,  and  other  similar  expenses  perpetually  occurred.  I  saw  my 
money  fly  away  in  this  way,  but  fearing  that  it  would  not  be  so 
easily  replenished,  I  parted  with  it  less  freely  from  day  to  day. 
However,  I  went  on,  and  found  that  at  the  end  of  two  months  I 
had  spent  the  moderate  sum  of  fourteen  thousand  francs.  This 
discovery  made  me  serious,  and  Rosine  immediately  perceived  it. 
She  guessed  that  my  finances  were  getting  low.  Women  have 
great  tact  in  this  respect,  and  are  but  rarely  deceived ;  and  without 
being  exactly  cold  towards  me,  she  yet  showed  a  kind  of  reserve, 
and  on  my  manifesting  astonishment,  she  answered  me  with  sin- 
gular abruptness,  'that  private  matters  put  her  out  of  temper.' 
That  was  a  trick,  but  I  had  been  too  deeply  a  sufferer  already  by 
my  interference  in  these  private  matters  to  proffer  again  to  arrange 
them,  and  I  advised  her  with  an  air  of  coolness  to  have  patience. 
She  became  only  more  contemptuous,  passed  some  days  in  pout- 
ing, and  then  the  storm  burst. 

At  the  conclusion  of  some  trifling  discussion,  she  said  with  a 
very  flippant  tone  ( that  she  did  not  choose  to  be  crossed,  and 
that  those  who  could  not  put  up  with  her  ways  had  better  remain 
at  home.'  That  was  plain  speaking ;  but  I  was  weak  enough  to 
appear  not  to  understand  her.  New  presents  brought  back  a  tern- 


46  MEMOIRS  OF  V1DOCQ. 

porary  renewal  of  kindness,  which,  however,  could  no  longer  in> 
pose  upon  me.  Then,  knowing  all  that  she  could  get  from  my 
blind  infatuation,  Rosine  soon  returned  to  the  charge  for  cash  for 
a  letter  of  credit  for  two  thousand  francs,  which  she  had  to  pay  or 
else  go  to  prison.  Rosine  in  prison  !  The  idea  was  insupportable, 
and  I  was  about  to  discharge  the  debt  at  once,  when  chance 
placed  in  my  way  a  letter  which  opened  my  eyes. 

It  was  from  the  platonic  friend  of  Rosine,  who  was  staying  at 
Versailles,  and  this  interesting  personage  asked  '  when  the  pigeon 
would  be  quite  plucked,'  that  he  might  make  his  appearance.  I 
intercepted  this  agreeable  missive  in  the  hands  of  Rosine's  porter. 
I  went  to  the  perfidious  woman,  but  she  was  absent :  and  enraged 
and  humiliated  at  the  same  time,  I  could  not  restrain  myself.  I 
was  in  the  bedroom,  and  at  one  kick  I  overthrew  a  stand  covered 
with  china,  and  a  cheval  glass  was  shivered  to  atoms.  Divine, 
the  waiting-maid  who  had  followed  me,  went  down  on  her  knees 
and  begged  me  to  pause  from  what  would  cost  me  so  dear :  I 
looked  at  her  and  hesitated,  and  a  remnant  of  common  sense 
induced  me  to  think  that  she  was  right.  I  questioned  her — and 
the  poor  girl,  who  had  always  been  gentle  and  attentive,  told  me 
all  about  her  mistress.  It  is  the  more  in  place  to  mention  her 
statement,  as  the  same  things  occur  daily  at  Paris. 

When  Rosine  met  me  she  had  not  had  anybody  for  two  months  : 
and  thinking  me  fair  game,  from  the  expensive  way  I  got  rid  of 
my  money,  conceived  the  plan  of  profiting  by  it  \  and  her  lover, 
whose  letter  I  had  intercepted,  had  consented,  and  went  to  Ver- 
sailles to  stay  until  my  money  should  be  exhausted.  It  was  in  the 
name  of  this  lover  that  the  proceedings  had  been  carried  on  for 
the  bill  of  exchange  which  I  had  formerly  taken  up,  and  the  debts 
of  the  milliner  and  upholsterer  were  equally  false. 

Although  cursing  my  egregious  folly,  I  was  yet  astonished  not 
to  see  the  honourable  lady,  who  had  so  well  tricked  me,  return. 
Divine  told  me  that  most  probably  the  poiter  had  told  her  that  I 
had  got  the  letter,  and  that  she  would  not  very  speedily  appear. 
This  conjecture  was  well  founded.  On  learning  the  catastrophe 
which  had  prevented  her  from  plucking  the  last  feather  from  my  wing, 
Rosine  had  set  out  in  a  hackney-coach  for  Versailles  to  rejoin  her 
friend.  The  finery  which  she  had  left  in  her  furnished  apart- 
ments was  not  sufficient  to  pay  for  the  two  months'  lodging  due 
to  the  landlord,  who,  when  I  was  going  out,  compelled  me  to  pay 
for  the  china  and  cheval  glass  which  I  had  broken  in  my  first 
transports  of  anger. 

Such  violent  inroads  had  dreadfully  reduced  my  finances. 
Fourteen  hundred  francs  alone  remained  of  the  ducats  of  the 


1HE  TRA  VELLING  DOCTOR.  47 

baroness !  I  left  the  capital  with  horror,  as  it  had  been  so  unpro- 
pitious  to  me,  and  resolved  to  regain  Lille,  where,  knowing  the 
localities,  I  might  at  least  find  resources  which  I  should  in  vain 
seek  for  at  Paris. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Gypsies — A  Flemish   fair — Return   to   Lille — The  Bull's  eye — Sentence    of 
punishment — St.  Peter's  tower — A  forgery. 

LILLE,  as  a  fortified  and  frontier  town,  offered  great  advantages  to 
all  who,  like  myself,  were  likely  to  find  there  useful  acquaintances, 
either  amongst  the  military  of  the  garrison,  or  that  class  of  persons 
who,  with  one  foot  in  France  and  the  other  in  Belgium,  have  really 
no  home  in  either ;  and  I  relied  a  little  on  this  for  recovering 
myself,  and  my  hope  was  not  groundless.  In  the  i3th  chasseurs 
I  met  several  officers  of  the  south,  and  amongst  the  rest  a  lieu- 
tenant named  Villedieu,  whom  we  shall  presently  hear  more  of. 
All  these  persons  had  only  known  me  in  the  regiment  under  one 
of  those  noms  de  guerre  which  it  was  the  custom  at  this  time  to 
assume,  and  were  therefore  not  astonished  at  seeing  me  bear  the 
name  of  Rousseau.  I  spent  the  day  with  them  at  the  cafe  or 
fencing-rooms,  but  this  was  not  lucrative,  and  I  actually  began  to 
be  in  want  of  money.  At  this  juncture  a  visitor  of  the  cafe, 
whom  they  called  Rentier,  from  his  regular  life,  and  who  had 
made  me  many  compliments,  of  which  he  was  very  prodigal  to 
all  the  world,  inquired  with  some  interest  into  my  affairs,  and 
asked  me  to  travel  with  him. 

To  travel  was  all  very  well ;  but  in  what  quality  ?  I  was  no 
longer  of  an  age  to  engage  myself  as  Merry  Andrew  or  valet-de- 
chambre  of  monkeys  and  bears,  and  nobody  would  doubtless  make 
me  such  a  proposition :  but  yet  it  was  necessary  to  know  in  what 
capacity.  I  asked  my  new  protector  very  modestly  what  duties  I 
had  to  perform  in  his  service.  *  I  am  an  itinerant  doctor,'  said 
this  man,  whose  bushy  eyebrows  and  sunburnt  skin  gave  him  a  singu- 
lar physiognomy  :  *  I  cure  secret  diseases  with  an  infallible  recipe.  I 
cure  animals,  and  lately  restored  the  horses  of  a  squadron  of  the 
1 3th  chasseurs,  whom  the  veterinary  surgeon  had  given  over.' — 
4  Well,'  said  I  to  myself,  *  once  more  a  doctor.'  But  there  was  no 
receding :  we  agreed  to  start  next  morning,  and  to  meet  at  five  in 
the  morning  at  the  gate  leading  to  the  Paris  road. 

I  was  punctual  at  the  rendezvous,  and  my  friend,  who  was 
equally  punctual,  seeing  my  trunk  strapped  at  the  back  of  a  lad, 
gaid  that  it  would  be  useless  to  take  it,  as  we  should  be  only  three 


48  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

days  away,  and  must  go  on  foot  At  this  observation  I  sent  my 
goods  back  to  the  inn,  and  we  walked  on  at  a  brisk  rate,  having, 
as  my  guide  said,  to  make  five  leagues  before  mid-day.  About  this 
time  we  reached  a  solitary  farmhouse,  where  he  was  received  with 
open  arms  and  saluted  by  the  name  of  Caron,  which  was  strange 
to  me,  who  had  always  heard  him  called  Christian.  After  a  few 
words  the  master  of  the  house  went  into  his  chamber  and  returned 
with  two  or  three  bags  of  crowns,  which  he  spread  on  the  table. 
My  friend  took  them,  and  examining  them  singly  with  an  attention 
which  appeared  to  me  affected,  put  aside  one  hundred  and  fifty, 
and  counted  out  a  like  sum  for  the  farmer  in  different  money,  with 
a  premium  of  six  crowns  :  I  understood  nothing  of  this  operation, 
which  was  carried  on  in  a  Flemish  dialect,  of  which  I  understood 
but  very  little.  I  was  then  much  astonished  when  on  leaving  the 
farm,  where  Christian  had  said  he  would  soon  return,  he  gave  me 
three  crowns,  saying  that  I  ought  to  have  a  share  of  the  profits.  I 
could  not  learn  what  the  profits  were,  and  said  so.  '  That  is  my  ' 
secret,'  said  he,  with  a  mysterious  air ;  '  you  shall  know  it  at  a 
future  time,  if  I  am  satisfied  with  you.'  I  told  him  that  he  might 
rely  on  my  discretion,  since  I  knew  nothing,  only  that  he  had 
changed  crowns  for  another  coin.  He  told  me  this  was  the  only 
point  on  which  I  ought  to  be  silent,  to  avoid  difficulties,  and  I, 
therefore  took  the  money  without  knowing  what  was  to  result  from 
all  this. 

For  four  days  we  made  similar  excursions  to  various  farms,  and 
every  evening  I  touched  two  or  three  crowns.  Christian,  whom 
they  all  called  Caron,  was  well  known  in  this  part  of  Brabant,  but 
only  as  a  doctor  ;  for,  although  he  everywhere  carried  on  his 
change  of  moneys,  the  conversation  was  always  about  healing  man 
or  beast.  I  found  besides  that  he  had  a  reputation  for  removing 
the  charms  cast  on  animals.  A  proposal  which  he  made  me  as  we 
entered  the  village  of  Wervique,  initiated  me  into  this  species  of 
magic  :  '  May  I  rely  on  you  ?'  said  he  to  me,  stopping  suddenly. 
— 'Certainly,'  said  I;  'but  for  what  and  how?' — 'Listen,  and 
learn.' 

He  took  from  a  sort  of  game-bag  four  square  packets  made  up 
like  those  of  chemists,  and  apparently  containing  some  specifics  ; 
he  then  said,  '  You  see  those  four  farms,  situated  at  some  distance 
from  each  other :  you  can  enter  them  the  back  way,  taking  care 
that  no  one  sees  you  ;  get  into  the  stable,  and  throw  into  the 
manger  the  powder  of  one  of  these  packets.  Take  great  care  that 
you  are  not  discovered — I  will  take  care  of  the  rest.'  I  objected 
to  this,  as  I  might  be  surprised  at  the  moment  I  was  climbing  the 
gate,  and  they  would  seize  me,  and  perhaps  put  some  awkward 


THE  GIPSY.  49 

questions.  I  refused  point-blank,  in  spite  of  the  perspective  of  the 
crowns,  and  all  Christian's  eloquence  failed  in  persuading  me.  I 
even  said  that  I  would  quit  him  at  once,  unless  he  would  disclose 
to  me  his  real  condition  and  the  mystery  of  his  exchange  of  money, 
which  seemed  to  me  extremely  suspicious.  This  declaration  seemed 
to  embarrass  him,  and,  as  we  may  learn,  he  endeavoured  to  draw 
me  off  the  scent,  in  making  me  a  half-confidant. 

*  My  country  ?'  said  he,  answering  my  latter  question,  '  I  have 
none.  My  mother,  who  was  hanged  last  year  at  Temeswar,  be- 
longed to  a  gang  of  gipsies  (Bohemiens)  who  were  traversing  the 
frontiers  of  Hungary  and  Bannat,  where  I  was  born  in  a  village  on 
the  Carpathian  mountains.  I  say  Bohemiens  that  you  may  under- 
stand, for  this  is  not  our  proper  name ;  we  call  ourselves  Roma- 
michels,  in  a  language  which  we  are  forbidden  to  teach  to  any 
person ;  we  are  also  forbidden  to  travel  alone,  and  that  is  the 
reason  why  we  are  generally  in  troops  of  fifteen  or  twenty.  We 
have  had  a  long  run  through  France,  curing  charms  and  spells  of 
cattle,  but  this  business  is  pretty  well  destroyed  at  present.  The 
countryman  has  grown  too  cunning,  and  we  have  been  driven  into 
Flanders,  where  they  are  not  so  cunning,  and  the  difference  of 
money  gives  us  a  finer  opportunity  for  the  exercise  of  our  in- 
dustry. As  for  me,  I  have  been  at  Brussels  on  private  business 
which  I  have  just  settled,  and  in  three  days  I  rejoin  the  troop 
at  the  fair  of  Malines.  It  is  at  your  pleasure  to  accompany 
me :  you  may  be  useful  to  us.  But  we  must  have  no  more  non- 
sense now.' 

Half-embarrassed  as  to  where  I  should  shelter  my  head,  and 
half-curious  to  see  the  termination  of  this  adventure,  I  agreed  to 
go  with  Christian,  without  at  all  understanding  how  I  could  be 
useful  to  him.  The  third  day  we  reached  Malines,  whence  he  told 
me  we  should  return  to  Brussels.  Having  traversed  the  city,  we 
stopped  in  the  Faubourg  de  Louvain,  before  a  wretched-looking 
house  with  blackened  walls,  furrowed  with  wide  crevices,  and 
many  bundles  of  straw  as  substitutes  for  window-glasses.  It  was 
midnight,  and  I  had  time  to  make  my  observations  by  the  moon- 
light, for  more  than  half  an  hour  elapsed  before  the  door  was  opened 
by  one  of  the  most  hideous  old  hags  I  ever  saw  in  my  life.  We 
were  then  introduced  to  a  long  room,  where  thirty  persons  of  both 
sexes  were  indiscriminately  smoking  and  drinking,  mingling  in 
strange  and  licentious  positions.  Under  their  blue  loose  frocks, 
ornamented  with  red  embroidery,  the  men  wore  blue  velvet  waist- 
coats with  silver  buttons,  like  the  Andalusian  muleteers  ;  the  cloth- 
ing of  the  women  was  all  of  one  bright  colour :  there  were  some 
ferocious  countenances  amongst  them,  but  yet  they  were  all  feast- 

4 


So  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

ing.  The  monotonous  sound  of  the  drum,  mingled  with  the  howl- 
ing of  two  dogs  tied  under  the  table,  accompanied  the  strange 
songs,  which  I  mistook  for  a  funeral  psalm.  The  smoke  of  tobacco 
and  wood,  which  filled  this  den,  scarcely  allowed  me  to  perceive 
in  the  midst  of  the  room  a  woman  who,  adorned  with  a  scarlet 
turban,  was  performing  a  wild  dance  with  the  most  wanton 
postures. 

On  our  entrance  there  was  a  pause  in  the  festivity ;  the  men 
came  to  shake  hands  with  Christian  and  the  women  to  embrace 
him,  and  then  all  eyes  were  turned  on  me,  who  felt  much  em- 
barrassed at  my  present  situation.  I  had  been  told  a  thousand 
strange  stories  of  the  Bohe'miens,  which  did  not  increase  my  com- 
fortable feelings  :  they  might  take  offence  at  any  scruples  I  should 
make,  and  might  get  rid  of  me  before  it  was  ever  known  where  I 
had  gone  to,  since  no  one  could  trace  me  to  such  a  haunt.  My 
disquietude  became  sufficiently  apparent  to  attract  the  attention  of 
Ctiristian,  who  thought  to  assure  me  by  saying  that  we  were  at  the 
house  of  the  duchess  (a  title  which  is  equivalent  to  that  of  mother 
amongst  such  comrades),  and  that  we  were  in  perfect  safety.  My 
appetite  decided  me  on  taking  my  part  at  the  banquet.  The  gin 
bottle  was  often  filled  and  emptied,  when  I  felt  an  inclination  to 
go  to  bed.  At  the  first  word  that  I  said  Christian  conducted  me 
to  a  neighbouring  closet,  where  were  already  on  clean  straw  several 
Bohemiens.  Tt  did  not  suit  me  to  be  particular ;  but  I  could  not 
prevent  myself  from  asking  my  patron  why  he,  who  had  always 
before  selected  such  good  quarters,  had  made  choice  of  so  bad  a 
sleeping  place.  He  told  me  that  in  all  towns,  where  there  was  a 
house  of  the  Romamichels,  they  were  constrained  to  lodge,  under 
pain  of  being  considered  as  a  false  brother,  and  as  such  punished 
by  a  council  of  the  tribe.  Women  and  children  all  slept  in  this 
military  bed;  and  the  sleep  which  soon  overtook  them,  proved 
that  it  was  a  familiar  couch. 

At  break  of  day  everybody  was  on  foot,  and  the  general  toilet 
was  made.  But  for  their  prominent  features,  without  their  raven- 
black  tresses  and  that  oily  and  tanned  skin,  I  should  scarcely  have 
recognised  my  companions  of  the  preceding  evening.  The  men 
clad  in  rich  jockey  holland  vests,  with  leathern  sashes  like  those 
worn  by  the  inhabitants  of  Poissy,  and  the  women  covered  with 
ornaments  of  gold  and  silver,  assumed  the  costume  of  Zealand 
peasants  :  even  the  children,  whom  I  had  seen  covered  with  rags, 
were  neatly  clothed,  and  had  an  entirely  different  appearance.  All 
soon  left  the  house  and  took  different  directions,  that  they  might 
not  reach  the  market-place  all  together,  where  the  country  people 
were  assembling  in  crowds.  Christian,  seeing  that  I  was  preparing 


MALGARET.  51 

to  follow  him,  told  me  that  he  should  not  have  need  of  me  the 
whole  day,  and  that  I  might  go  wherever  I  pleased  until  evening, 
when  we  were  to  meet  at  the  house  of  the  duchess.  He  then  put 
some  crowns  in  my  hand  and  left  me. 

As  in  our  conversation  of  the  previous  evening  he  had  told  me 
that  I  was  not  compelled  to  lodge  with  the  troop,  I  began  by 
ordering  a  bed  at  the  inn.  Then,  not  knowing  how  to  kill  time,  I 
went  to  the  fair,  and  had  scarcely  gone  round  it  four  or  five  times, 
when  I  met  face  to  face  an  old  officer  of  the  recruiting  battalions, 
named  Malgaret,  whom  I  had  known  as  making  one  of  the 
gambling  set  at  the  Cafe  Turc  at  Brussels.  After  the  first  saluta- 
tions, he  asked  me  why  I  was  staying  at  Malines.  I  told  him  a 
history,  and  he  was  equally  communicative  about  his  travels ;  and 
we  were  thus  content,  each  thinking  that  he  had  imposed  on  the 
other.  Having  taken  some  refreshments  we  returned  to  the  fair,  and 
every  part  where  there  was  a  crowd  I  met  some  of  the  lodgers  of 
the  duchess.  Having  told  my  companion  that  I  had  no  acquaint- 
ance at  Malines,  I  turned  my  head  that  they  might  not  recognise 
me,  for  I  did  not  much  care  to  confess  that  I  had  such  friends; 
but  I  had  too  cunning  a  fox  to  deal  with.  '  Look,'  said  he  to  me, 
looking  me  full  in  the  face,  '  look  at  those  people  who  are  regard- 
ing you  so  attentively.  Pray  do  you  know  them  ?'  Without  turning 
my  head,  I  replied  that  I  had  never  seen  them  before,  and  did  not 
even  know  who  they  were.  *  Who  they  are  !'  replied  my  com- 
panion, '  I  will  tell  you — supposing  you  to  be  ignorant — they  are 
robbers  !' — *  Robbers  !'  I  replied.  *  How  do  you  know  it  ?'  *  In 
the  same  way  that  you  shall  soon  know  if  you  will  follow  me,  for  it 
is  a  fair  bet  that  we  shall  not  have  far  to  go  without  finding  them 
at  work.  Come  along — here  they  are.' 

Raising  my  eyes  towards  a  crowd  in  front  of  a  menagerie,  I  per- 
ceived one  of  the  false  jockeys  taking  the  purse  of  a  fat  grazier 
whom  we  saw  the  next  moment  seeking  for  it  in  his  pockets  :  the 
Bohe'mien  then  entered  a  jeweller's  shop,  where  were  already  two 
of  the  pretended  Zealand  peasants,  and  my  companion  assured  me 
that  he  would  not  come  out  until  he  had  pilfered  some  of  the 
jewels  that  were  shown  to  him.  We  then  left  our  post  of  observa- 
tion to  go  and  dine  together  :  and,  at  the  end  of  the  repast,  seeing 
my  companion  disposed  to  talk,  I  pressed  him  to  tell  me  precisely 
who  the  people  were  whom  he  had  pointed  out  to  me,  assuring  him 
that,  in  spite  of  appearances,  I  knew  but  very  little  of  them.  He 
complied,  and  told  me  as  follows : 

'  It  was  in  the  prison  (Rasphuys)  of  Ghent,  where  I  passed  six 
months,  some  years  since,  at  the  end  of  a  game  at  which  some 
doctors  (loaded  dice)  were  discovered,  that  I  made  acquaintance 

4 — 2 


52  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

with  two  men  of  the  troop  now  at  Malines.  We  were  in  the  same 
cell,  and  as  I  passed  myself  off  for  an  accomplished  thief,  they 
told  me,  without  distrust,  all  their  light-fingered  tricks :  and  even 
gave  me  the  minutest  details  of  their  singular  existence.  These 
people  come  from  the  country  about  Moldavia,  where  a  hundred 
and  fifty  thousand  of  them  vegetate,  like  the  Jews  in  Poland, 
without  the  power  of  fulfilling  any  office  but  that  of  executioner. 
Their  name  changes  with  their  change  of  country ;  they  are 
ziguiners  in  Germany,  gipsies  in  England,  zingari  in  Italy,  gitanos 
in  Spain,  and  Bohemiens  in  France  and  Belgium.  They  thus 
traverse  all  Europe,  exercising  the  lowest  and  most  dangerous 
trades.  They  clip  dogs,  tell  fortunes,  mend  crockery,  repair 
saucepans,  play  wretched  music  at  the  public-house  doors,  specu- 
late in  rabbit-skins,  and  change  foreign  money  which  they  find  out 
of  the  usual  circulation. 

'  They  sell  specifics  against  the  illness  of  cattle,  and  to  promote 
the  business,  they  despatch  trusty  envoys,  who,  under  pretences  of 
making  purchases,  get  into  the  stables,  and  throw  drugs  into  the 
mangers,  which  make  the  cattle  sick.  They  then  present  them- 
selves, and  are  received  with  open  arms,  and  knowing  the  nature 
of  the  malady,  they  easily  remove  it,  and  the  farmer  hardly  knows 
how  to  be  adequately  grateful.  This  is  not  all ;  for  before  they 
quit  the  farm,  they  learn  whether  the  husbandman  has  any  crowns 
of  such  and  such  a  year,  or  such  and  such  a  stamp,  promising  to 
give  a  premium  for  them.  The  interested  countryman,  like  all 
persons  who  but  seldom  find  an  opportunity  of  getting  money, 
spreads  his  coin  before  them,  of  which  they  invariably  contrive  to 
pilfer  a  portion.  What  is  almost  incredible  is,  that  they  are  seen 
to  repeat  with  impunity  the  same  trick  frequently  at  the  same 
house.  Indeed,  what  is  most  villainous  of  all  in  their  transactions, 
is,  that  they  profit  by  these  circumstances,  and  their  knowledge  of 
the  localities  of  the  country,  to  point  out  to  burglars  the  detached 
farms  in  which  there  is  money,  and  the  means  of  getting  at  it,  and 
it  is  needless  to  add  that  they  come  in  for  their  share  of  the 
spoil.' 

Malgaret  gave  further  details  concerning  the  Bohemiens,  which 
determined  me  on  quitting  their  dangerous  society  as  speedily  as 
possible. 

He  was  speaking  thus,  looking  into  the  streets  from  time  to 
time  from  the  window  near  which  we  were  seated,  when  suddenly 
I  heard  him  exclaim,  '  Oh,  the  devil !  My  friend  of  the  Rasphuys 
at  Ghent !' — I  looked  out,  and  saw  Christian  walking  very  fast, 
and  with  an  air  of  busy  import.  I  could  scarcely  help  exclaiming 
aloud.  Malgaret,  profiting  by  the  trouble  into  which  his  explana- 


THE  BULUS-h  YE.  53 

tion  had  thrown  me,  had  not  much  difficulty  in  extracting  from  me 
how  I  was  associated  with  the  Bohemiens.  Seeing  me  resolved 
on  quitting  their  company,  he  proposed  that  I  should  accompany 
him  to  Coutrai,  where,  he  said,  he  had  some  game  in  view.  After 
having  taken  from  the  inn  the  few  things  I  had  brought  from  the 
house  of  the  duchess,  I  set  out  with  my  new  associate,  but  we  did 
not  find  at  Coutrai  the  friends  Malgaret  had  relied  on  meeting 
there,  and  it  was  our  cash,  and  not  theirs,  that  was  spent.  Des- 
pairing of  their  appearance,  we  returned  to  Lille ;  I  had  still  one 
hundred  francs  left,  and  Malgaret  gambled  with  them  on  our 
mutual  account,  and  lost  them,  together  with  what  he  had  of  his 
own,  and  I  afterwards  learnt  that  he  had  confederated  with  his 
antagonist  to  cheat  me  out  of  what  I  had  left. 

In  this  extremity,  I  had  recourse  to  my  abilities :  and  some 
fencing-masters,  to  whom  I  spoke  of  my  situation,  gave  me  a 
benefit  at  a  fencing-match,  which  produced  me  a  hundred  crowns. 
Set  up  with  this  sum,  which  for  a  time  secured  me  from  want,  I 
frequented  public  places,  balls,  etc.  I  then  formed  an  intimacy, 
of  which  the  circumstances  and  consequences  decided  the  destiny 
of  my  whole  life.  Nothing  could  be  more  simple  than  the  com- 
mencement of  this  important  episode  of  my  history.  I  met  at  the 
Bal  de  la  Montagne  with  a  young  lady,  with  whom  I  was  soon  on 
good  terms.  Francine,  for  that  was  her  name,  appeared  much 
attached  to  me,  and  at  every  moment  made  me  protestations  of 
fidelity,  which  did  not,  however,  prevent  her  from  giving  private 
interviews  to  a  captain  of  engineers. 

I  one  day  surprised  them  supping  at  a  tavern  in  the  Place 
Riourt,  and,  transported  with  rage,  I  heartily  thumped  the 
astonished  pair.  Francine,  with  her  hair  hanging  loose,  fled  :  but 
her  partner  remained,  and  making  a  charge  against  me,  I  was 
arrested  and  conducted  to  prison  of  Petit  Hotel.  Whilst  my  trial 
was  preparing,  I  was  visited  by  many  females  of  my  acquaintance, 
who  made  it  a  duty  to  offer  me  their  consolations.  Francine 
learnt  this,  and,  her  jealousy  aroused,  she  dismissed  the  unfortu- 
nate captain,  withdrew  the  charge  against  me  which  she  had  made 
at  the  same  time  with  his,  and  beseeching  me  to  receive  her,  I 
weakly  consented.  The  judges  heard  of  this  fact,  which  was 
tortured  into  a  premeditated  plan  between  me  and  Francine,  and 
I  was  sentenced  to  three  months'  imprisonment.  From  the  Petit 
Hotel  I  was  transferred  to  St.  Peter's  Tower,  where  I  obtained  a 
chamber  called  the  Bull's-eye.  Francine  remained  with  me  there 
for  a  part  of  the  day,  and  the  remainder  I  passed  with  the  other 
prisoners,  amongst  whom  were  two  old  sergeant-majors,  Grouard 
and  Herbaux,  the  latter  son  of  a  bootmaker  at  Lille,  both  con- 


54  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

demned  for  forgeries ;  and  a  labourer,  named  Boitel,  condemned 
for  six  years'  confinement  for  stealing  garden-tools  ;  this  latter,  who 
was  the  father  of  a  large  family,  was  always  bewailing  his  imprison- 
ment, which,  he  said,  deprived  him  of  the  means  of  working  a 
small  farm,  which  he  only  knew  how  to  turn  to  advantage.  In 
spite  of  the  crime  he  had  committed,  much  interest  was  evinced 
in  his  favour,  or  rather  towards  his  children,  and  many  inhabitants 
of  his  district  had  drawn  up  and  presented  petitions  in  his  favour, 
which  were  as  yet  unanswered,  and  the  unfortunate  man  was  in 
despair,  often  repeating  that  he  would  give  such  and  such  a  sum 
for  his  liberty.  Grouard  and  Herbaux,  who  were  in  St.  Peter's 
Tower,  waiting  to  be  sent  to  the  galleys,  thought  they  could  get 
him  pardoned  by  means  of  a  memorial,  which  they  drew  up,  or 
rather  plotted  together ;  a  plan  which  was  ultimately  so  injurious 
to  me. 

Grouard  began  to  complain  that  he  could  not  work  quietly  in 
the  midst  of  the  uproar  of  the  common  room,  in  which  were 
eighteen  prisoners  singing,  swearing,  and  quarrelling  all  day. 
Boitel,  who  had  done  me  some  little  kind  offices,  begged  me  to 
lend  my  chamber  to  the  compilers  of  his  memorial,  and  I  con- 
sented, although  very  unwillingly,  to  give  it  up  to  them  for  four 
hours  a  day.  From  the  next  morning  they  were  there  installed, 
and  the  gaoler  frequently  went  there  secretly.  These  comings  and 
goings,  and  the  mystery  which  pervaded  them,  would  have  awakened 
suspicions  in  a  man  accustomed  to  the  intrigues  of  a  prison,  but, 
ignorant  of  their  plans,  and  occupied  in  drinking  with  the  friends 
who  visited  me,  I  interested  myself  but  too  little  with  what  was 
going  on  in  the  Bull's-eye. 

At  the  end  of  eight  days,  they  thanked  me  for  my  kindness, 
telling  me  that  the  memorial  was  concluded,  and  that  they  had 
every  reason  to  hope  for  the  pardon  of  the  petitioner,  without 
sending  it  to  Paris,  from  the  influence  of  the  representations  of 
the  people  at  Lille.  All  this  was  not  very  clear  to  me,  but  I  did 
not  give  it  much  attention,  thinking  it  no  business  of  mine  ;  and 
there  was  no  occasion  for  me  to  concern  myself.  But  it  took  a 
turn  which  throwed  blame  on  my  carelessness,  for  scarcely  had 
forty-eight  hours  elapsed  after  the  finishing  of  the  memorial,  when 
two  brothers  of  Boitel  arrived  by  express,  and  came  to  dine  with 
him  at  the  gaoler's  table.  At  the  end  of  the  repast,  an  order 
arrived,  which  being  opened  by  the  gaoler,  he  cried,  *  Good  news, 
by  my  faith  !  It  is  an  order  for  the  liberation  of  Boitel ;'  at  these 
words  they  all  arose  in  confusion,  embraced  him,  examined  the 
order,  and  congratulated  him  ;  and  Boitel,  ^vho  Lad  sent  away  his 
clothes,  etc.,  the  previous  evening,  immediately  left  the  prison  without 
bidding  adieu  to  any  of  the  prisoners. 


THE  FORGED  ORDER.  55 

Next  day,  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  inspector  of  the 
prisons  came  to  visit  us ;  and  on  the  gaoler's  showing  him  the 
order  for  Boitel's  liberation,  he  cast  his  eye  over  it,  said  that  it 
was  a  forgery,  and  that  he  should  not  allow  the  prisoner  to  depart 
until  he  had  referred  to  the  authorities.  The  gaoler  then  said 
that  Boitel  had  left  on  the  previous  evening.  The  inspector  testified 
his  astonishment  that  he  should  have  been  deceived  by  an  order 
signed  by  persons  whose  names  were  unknown  to  him,  and  at 
last  placed  him  under  a  guard.  He  then  took  the  order  away 
with  him,  and  soon  made  himself  certain  that,  independently  of 
the  forgery  of  the  signatures,  there  were  omissions  and  errors  in 
form  which  must  have  struck  any  person  at  all  familiar  with  such 
papers. 

It  was  soon  known  in  the  prison  that  the  inspector  had  placed 
the  gaoler  under  arrest,  for  having  allowed  Boitel  to  go  out  under 
a  false  order,  and  I  began  to  surmise  the  truth.  I  desired 
Grouard  and  Herbaux  to  tell  me  the  whole,  observing  indistinctly 
that  the  affair  might  compromise  me  ;  but  they  swore  most  solemnly 
that  they  had  done  nothing  but  draw  up  the  memorial,  and  were 
themselves  astonished  at  its  prompt  success.  I  did  not  believe  a 
word  of  this,  but  having  no  opposing  proofs,  I  was  compelled  to 
wait  for  the  event.  The  next  day  I  was  summoned  to  the  court, 
before  the  judge,  and  answered,  that  I  knew  nothing  of  the 
framing  of  the  forged  order,  and  that  I  had  only  lent  my  room,  as 
the  only  quiet  place  in  the  prison,  for  the  preparation  of  the 
justificatory  memorial.  I  added,  that  all  these  facts  could  be 
corroborated  by  the  gaoler,  who  frequently  went  into  the  room 
during  their  work,  appearing  to  be  much  interested  for  Boitel. 
Grouard  and  Herbaux  were  also  interrogated,  and  then  placed  in 
solitary  confinement,  whilst  I  returned  to  my  chamber.  Scarcely 
had  I  entered  it,  when  Boitel's  bed-fellow  came  to  me,  and  told 
me  the  whole  plot,  which  I  had  only  before  suspected. 

Grouard,  hearing  Boitel  so  often  repeat  that  he  would  willingly  give 
a  hundred  crowns  to  procure  his  liberty,  had  planned  with  Herbaux 
the  means  of  getting  him  out,  and  they  had  devised  no  mode  so 
simple  as  that  of  forging  a  false  order.  Boitel  was  let  into  the  plot, 
as  may  be  supposed  :  they  only  told  him,  that  as  there  were  many 
persons  to  gain  over,  he  must  give  four  hundred  francs.  It  was 
then  that  they  applied  for  my  chamber,  which  was  indispensable 
for  the  due  concoction  and  forging  of  the  order,  without  being 
perceived  by  the  other  prisoners  ;  moreover,  the  gaoler  was  in 
their  confidence,  to  judge  by  his  frequent  visits,  and  the  circum- 
stances which  had  preceded  and  followed  the  departure  of  Boitel. 
The  order  had  been  brought  by  a  friend  of  Herbaux,  named 


56  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

Stofflet.  He  appeared  besides  only  to  decide  Boitel  on  giving 
four  hundred  francs,  which  the  forger  had  persuaded  him  was  to  be 
shared  with  me,  although  I  had  rendered  him  no  other  service  than 
that  of  lending  my  room. 

Thus  instructed,  I  at  first  wished  the  person  who  had  given  me 
these  particulars  to  make  a  declaration  of  them,  but  he  obstinately 
refused,  saying  that  he  would  not  reveal  to  justice  a  secret  confided 
to  his  oath ;  and,  besides,  he  did  not  feel  desirous  of  being  knocked 
on  the  head  by  the  prisoners  for  turning  nose  (pour  avoir  mange  le 
morceau).  He  dissuaded  me  even  from  informing  the  judge,  telling 
me  that  I  was  in  no  danger.  But  on  arresting  Boitel  in  the  country, 
and  bringing  him  to  Lille,  and  putting  him  into  solitary  confine- 
ment, he  named  as  the  aiders  and  abettors  in  his  escape,  Grouard, 
Herbaux,  Stofflet,  and  Vidocq.  On  this  confession,  we  were  ques- 
tioned at  the  Tower,  and  I  persisted  in  my  first  declaration, 
although  I  could  have  extricated  myself  in  a  moment,  by  disclos- 
ing all  that  Boitel's  bed-fellow  had  told  me ;  but  I  was  so  fuljy 
convinced  that  it  was  impossible  to  substantiate  any  charge  against 
me,  that  I  was  thunderstruck  when,  at  the  expiration  of  my  three 
months,  I  was  prevented  from  quitting  the  prison  by  an  entry 
stating  me  as  arraigned  as  an  *  accomplice  in  the  forgery  of  authentic 
and  public  documents.' 


CHAPTER  V. 

Three  escapes — The  Chauffeurs — The  suicide — I  am  accused  of  assassination 
— Fresh  escape — Ostend — Smugglers — I  am  retaken. 

I  THEN  began  to  think  that  this  affair  might  turn  out  badly  for  me; 
but  any  other  statement  without  proof  would  be  more  dangerous 
to  me  than  silence,  which  it  was  now  too  late  to  think  of  breaking. 
All  these  reflections  affected  me  so  much,  that  I  had  a  severe  illness, 
during  which  time  Francine  attended  me  most  carefully.  I  was 
scarcely  convalescent,  when,  unable  to  support  the  state  of  incer- 
titude in  which  I  found  my  affairs,  I  resolved  on  escaping,  and  to 
escape  by  the  door,  although  that  may  appear  a  difficult  step. 
Some  particular  observations  made  me  prefer  this  method  in  pre- 
ference to  any  other.  The  wicket-keeper  at  St.  Peter's  Tower  was 
a  galley-slave  from  the  Bagne  (place  of  confinement)  at  Brest,  sen- 
tenced for  life.  After  the  revision  of  the  penal  laws  and  the  code 
of  1791,  he  had  obtained  a  commutation  of  six  years'  confinement 
in  the  prison  at  Lille,  where  he  had  made  himself  useful  to  the 
gaoler,  who,  persuaded  that  a  man  who  had  passed  four  yea**  at 


THE  ESCAPE,  57 

the  Bagne  must  be  as  watchful  as  an  eagle,  since  he  must  know 
every  method  of  escape,  promoted  him  to  the  office  of  gate-keeper, 
whi^h  he  thought  he  could  not  confide  to  more  trustworthy  hands. 
It  was,  however,  on  the  stupidity  of  this  prodigy  of  cunning  that  I 
relied  for  the  success  of  my  project ;  and  it  appeared  the  more  easy  to 
deceive  him,  as  he  was  so  confident  in  his  own  sagacity.  In  a  word,  I 
relied  on  passing  by  him  under  the  disguise  of  a  superior  officer, 
charged  with  visiting  St.  Peter's  Tower,  which  was  used  as  a  military 
prison,  twice  a  week. 

Francine,  whom  I  saw  daily,  got  me  the  requisite  clothing,  which 
she  brought  me  in  her  muff.  I  immediately  tried  them  on,  and 
they  suited  me  exactly.  Some  of  the  prisoners  who  saw  me  thus 
attired  assured  me  that  it  was  impossible  to  detect  me.  I  was  the 
same  height  as  the  officer  whose  character  I  was  about  to  assume, 
and  I  made  myself  appear  twenty-five  years  of  age.  At  the  end  of 
a  few  days,  he  made  his  usual  round,  and  whilst  one  of  my  friends 
occupied  his  attention,  under  pretext  of  examining  his  food,  I  dis- 
guised myself  hastily,  and  presented  myself  at  the  door,  which  the 
gaol-keeper,  taking  off  his  cap,  opened,  and  I  went  out  into  the 
street.  I  ran  to  a  friend  of  Francine's,  as  agreed  on  in  case  I  should 
succeed,  and  she  soon  joined  me  there. 

I  was  there  perfectly  safe,  if  I  could  resolve  on  keeping  con- 
cealed ;  but  how  could  I  submit  to  a  slavery  almost  as  severe  as 
that  of  St.  Peter's  Tower  ?  As  for  three  months  I  had  been  en- 
closed within  four  walls,  I  was  now  desirous  to  exercise  the  activity 
so  long  repressed.  I  announced  my  intention  of  going  out ;  and, 
as  with  me  an  inflexible  determination  was  always  the  auxiliary  of 
the  most  capricious  fancy,  I  did  go.  My  first  excursion  was  safely 
performed,  but  the  next  morning,  as  I  was  coming  to  the  Rue 
Ecremoise,  a  sergeant  named  Louis,  who  had  seen  me  during  my 
imprisonment,  stopped  me,  and  asked  if  I  was  free.  He  was  a 
severe  practical  man,  and  by  a  motion  of  his  hand  could  summon 
twenty  persons.  I  said  that  I  would  follow  him  ;  and  begging  him 
to  allow  me  to  bid  adieu  to  my  mistress,  who  was  in  a  house  of 
Rue  de  1'Hospitai,  he  consented,  and  we  really  met  Francine,  who 
was  much  surprised  to  see  me  in  such  company;  and  then  I 
told  her  that,  having  reflected  that  my  escape  might  injure  me  in 
the  estimation  of  my  judges,  I  had  decided  on  returning  to  St. 
Peter's  Tower  to  wait  the  result  of  the  process. 

Francine  did  not  at  first  comprehend  why  I  had  expended  three 
hundred  francs,  to  return  at  the  end  of  four  months  to  prison.  A 
sign  put  her  on  her  guard,  and  I  found  an  opportunity  of  desiring 
her  to  put  some  cinders  in  my  pocket  whilst  Louis  and  I  took  a 
glass  of  rum,  and  then  set  out  for  the  prison.  Having  reached  a 


58  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ, 

deserted  street,  I  blinded  my  guide  with  a  handful  of  cinders,  and 
regained  my  asylum  with  all  speed. 

Louis  having  made  his  declaration,  the  gendarmes  and  police- 
officers  were  on  the  full  cry  after  me  ;  and  there  was  one  Jacquard 
amongst  them  who  undertook  to  secure  me  if  I  were  in  the  city. 
I  was  not  acquainted  with  these  particulars,  and  instead  of  being 
more  circumspect  in  my  behaviour,  I  affected  a  ridiculous  bravado. 
It  might  have  been  said  that  I  ought  to  have  had  a  portion  of  the 
premium  promised  for  my  apprehension.  I  was  certainly  hotly 
pursued,  as  may  be  judged  from  the  following  incident. 

Jacquard  learnt  one  day  that  I  was  going  to  dine  in  Rue  Notre- 
Dame.  He  immediately  went  with  four  assistants,  whom  he  left 
on  the  ground-floor,  and  ascended  the  staircase  to  the  room  where 
I  was  about  to  sit  down  to  the  table  with  two  females.  A  recruit- 
ing sergeant,  who  was  to  have  made  the  fourth,  had  not  yet  arrived. 
I  recognised  Jacquard,  who  never  having  seen  me,  had  not  the 
same  advantage,  and  besides,  my  disguise  would  have  bid  defiance 
to  any  description  of  my  person.  Without  being  at  all  uneasy,  I 
approached,  and  with  the  most  natural  tone  I  begged  him  to  pass 
into  a  closet,  the  glass-door  of  which  looked  on  the  banquet-room. 
'  It  is  Vidocq  whom  you  are  looking  for,'  said  I ;  '  if  you  will  wait 
for  ten  minutes  you  will  see  him.  There  is  his  cover,  he  cannot 
be  long.  When  he  enters,  I  will  make  you  a  sign  ;  but  if  you  are 
alone,  I  doubt  if  you  can  seize  him,  as  he  is  armed  and  resolved 
to  defend  himself.' — '  I  have  my  gendarmes  on  the  staircase,7 

answered  he,  *  and  il  he  escapes '  '  Take  care  how  you  place 

them,  then,'  said  I,  with  affected  haste.  ' If  Vidocq  should  see 
them  he  would  mistrust  some  plot,  and  then  farewell  to  the  bird.' 
— '  But  where  shall  I  place  them  ?' — '  Oh,  why  in  this  closet — mind, 
no  noise,  that  would  spoil  all  ;  and  I  have  more  desire  than  your- 
self that  he  should  not  suspect  anything.'  My  commissary  was 
now  shut  up  in  four  walls  with  his  agents.  The  door,  which  was 
very  strong,  closed  with  a  double  lock.  Then,  certain  of  time  to 
escape,  I  cried  to  my  prisoners,  '  You  are  looking  for  Vidocq — 
well,  it  is  he  who  has  caged  you ;  farewell.'  And  away  I  went  like 
a  dart,  leaving  the  party  shouting  for  help,  and  making  desperate 
efforts  to  escape  from  the  unlucky  closet. 

Two  escapes  of  the  same  sort  I  effected,  but  at  last  I  was 
arrested  and  carried  back  to  St.  Peter's  Tower,  where,  for  greater 
security,  I  was  placed  in  a  dungeon  with  a  man  named  Calendrin, 
who  was  also  thus  punished  for  two  attempts  at  escape.  Calendrin, 
who  had  known  me  during  my  first  confinement  in  the  prison, 
imparted  to  me  a  fresh  plan  of  escape  which  he  had  devised,  by 
means  of  a  hole  worked  in  the  wall  of  the  dungeon  of  the  galley- 


THE  HOLE  IN  THE  WALL.  59 

slaves,  with  whom  we  could  communicate.  The  third  night  all  was 
managed  for  our  escape,  and  eight  of  the  prisoners  who  first  went 
out  were  so  fortunate  as  to  avoid  being  detected  by  the  sentinel, 
who  was  only  a  short  distance  off. 

Seven  of  us  still  remained,  and  we  drew  straws,  as  is  usual  in  such 
circumstances,  to  determine  which  of  the  seven  should  first  pass.  I 
drew  the  short  stra\v,  and  undressed  myself  that  I  might  get  with 
greater  ease  through  the  hole,  which  was  very  narrow,  but,  to  the 
great  disappointment  of  all,  I  stuck  fast  without  the  possibility  of 
advancing  or  receding.  In  vain  did  my  companions  endeavour  to 
pull  me  out  by  force,  I  was  caught  as  if  in  a  trap,  and  the  pain  of 
my  situation  was  so  extreme,  that,  not  expecting  further  help  from 
within,  I  called  to  the  sentry  to  render  me  assistance.  He  ap- 
proached with  the  precaution  of  a  man  who  fears  a  surprise,  and 
presenting  his  bayonet  to  my  breast,  forbade  me  to  make  the 
slightest  movement.  At  his  summons  the  guard  came  out,  the 
porters  ran  with  torches,  and  I  was  dragged  from  my  hole,  not 
without  leaving  behind  me  a  portion  of  my  skin  and  flesh.  Torn  and 
wounded  as  I  was,  they  immediately  transferred  me  to  the  prison 
of  Petit  Hotel,  when  I  was  put  into  a  dungeon,  fettered  hand  and 
foot. 

Ten  days  afterwards  I  was  placed  among  the  prisoners,  through 
my  entreaties  and  promises  not  to  attempt  again  to  escape.  Up 
to  this  time  I  had  lived  with  men  who  were  sharpers,  robbers,  and 
forgers ;  but  here  I  found  myself  in  the  midst  of  most  hardened 
villains,  and  of  this  number  was  one  of  my  fellow  townsmen, 
named  Desfosseux,  a  man  of  wonderful  ingenuity,  prodigious 
strength,  and  who,  condemned  to  the  galleys  from  the  age  of 
eighteen,  had  escaped  from  the  Bagne  three  times,  whence  he  was 
to  be  sent  again  with  the  next  chain  of  convicts.  He  told  all  his 
exploits  and  hair-breadth  scapes  with  much  coolness,  and  said 
that  no  doubt '  one  day  or  other  the  guillotine  would  make  sausage 
meat  of  his  flesh.'  In  spite  of  the  secret  horror  with  which  this 
man  inspired  me,  I  took  a  pleasure  in  conversing  with  him  of  the 
wild  life  he  had  led,  and  what  most  induced  me.  to  make  so  many 
inquiries  of  him  was,  that  I  hoped  he  would  be  able  to  aid  me 
with  some  means  of  escape.  With  the  same  motive,  I  assoc  iated  with 
many  individuals  imprisoned  as  part  of  a  band  of  forty  or  fifty 
Chaffeurs,  who  infested  the  adjacent  districts,  under  the  command 
of  the  famous  Sallambier.  They  were  named  Chopine  (called  the 
Nantzman),  Louis  (of  Douay),  Duhamel  (called  Lilleman),  Auguste 
Poissard  (called  the  Provencal),  Caron  the  younger,  Caron  the 
Humpback,  and  Bruxellois  (called  the  Daring),  an  appellation 
which  he  deserved  for  an  act  of  courage  which  is  seldom  heard  of 
even  in  bulletins. 


60  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

At  the  moment  of  entering  a  farm  with  six  of  his  comrades,  he 
thrust  his  left  hand  through  an  opening  in  the  shutter  to  lift  the 
latch,  but  when  he  was  drawing  it  back,  he  found  that  his  wrist 
had  been  caught  in  a  slip-knot.  Awakened  by  the  noise,  the 
inhabitants  of  the  farm  had  laid  this  snare,  although  too  weak  to  go 
out  against  a  band  of  robbers  which  report  had  magnified  as  to 
numbers.  But  the  attempt  being  thus  defeated,  day  was  fast 
approaching,  and  Bruxellois  saw  his  dismayed  comrades  looking 
at  each  other  with  doubt,  when  the  idea  occurred  to  him  that  to 
avoid  discovery  they  would  knock  out  his  brains.  With  his  right 
hand  he  drew  out  his  clasp  knife  with  a  sharp  point,  which  he 
always  had  about  him,  and  cutting  off  his  wrist  at  the  joint,  fled 
with  his  comrades  without  being  stopped  by  the  excessive  pain  of 
his  horrid  wound.  This  remarkable  deed,  which  has  been  attri- 
buted to  a  thousand  different  spots,  really  occurred  in  the  vicinity 
of  Lille,  and  it  is  well  authenticated  in  the  northern  districts, 
where  many  persons  yet  remember  to  have  seen  the  hero  of  this 
tale,  who  was  thence  called  Manchot  (or  one-armed)  executed. 

Introduced  by  so  distinguished  a  worthy  as  my  townsman  Des- 
fosseux,  I  was  received  with  open  arms  in  the  circle  of  bandits, 
where  from  morning  to  night  the  means  of  escape  was  our  only 
theme.  Under  these  circumstances,  as  in  many  others,  I  re- 
marked that  with  prisoners,  the  thirst  for  liberty,  becoming  the 
engrossing  idea,  produced  plots  inconceivable  by  the  man  who 
discusses  them  at  his  ease.  Liberty ! — in  this  word  all  is  centred, 
this  thought  pursues  the  prisoner  throughout  the  tedious  day,  and 
during  the  wintry  nights  spent  in  utter  darkness,  when  abandoned 
to  all  the  tormenting  impulses  of  impatience.  Enter  any  prison, 
you  will  hear  shouts  of  noisy  mirth,  you  may  almost  imagine  your- 
self at  a  place  of  entertainment ;  approach — mouths  grin  horribly 
a  ghastly  smile,  but  the  eyes  betray  no  pleasure,  they  are  stern 
and  haggard;  this  assumed  gaiety  is  forced  in  its  hideous  yells, 
like  that  of  a  jackal,  which  dashes  against  its  cage,  striving  to 
burst  the  bars. 

Well  knowing  what  men  they  had  to  guard,  our  gaolers  watched 
us  with  a  care  that  marred  all  our  plans ;  the  only  opportunity 
which  gave  a  chance  of  success  now  offered  itself,  and  I  seized  on 
it  before  my  companions,  cunning  as  they  were,  had  even  thought 
of  it.  We  were  about  eighteen  of  us  in  the  ante-room  of  the  ex- 
amining judge,  where  we  had  been  conducted  for  the  purpose  of 
being  interrogated,  which  was  guarded  by  soldiers,  and  two  gen- 
darmes, one  of  whom  had  laid  down  his  hat  and  cloak  near  me, 
whilst  he  went  to  the  bar,  whither  his  companion  was  summoned 
by  the  ringing  of  a,  bell.  I  put  his  hat  on  my  head  instantly,  and 


ANOTHER  ESCAPE.  61 

wrapping  myself  in  his  cloak,  took  a  prisoner  under  my  arm  as  if 
I  was  taking  him  out  for  a  pressing  necessity ;  I  went  to  the  door, 
which  the  corporal  of  the  guard  immediately  opened,  and  we  got 
out  once  more.  But  what  could  we  do  without  money  or  papers  ? 
My  comrade  went  into  the  provinces,  and  I,  at  the  risk  of  being 
retaken,  returned  to  Francine,  who,  overjoyed  at  seeing  me,  deter- 
mined on  selling  her  furniture,  and  flying  with  me  to  Belgium. 

This  was  determined  on,  when  a  most  unexpected  event, 
attributable  only  to  my  incredible  carelessness,  completely  over- 
threw our  plan. 

The  night  before  our  intended  departure,  I  met  in  the  dusk  of 
the  evening  a  woman  of  Brussels,  named  Eliza,  with  whom  I  had 
been  on  intimate  terms.  She  embraced  me,  and  begged  me  to 
go  and  sup  with  her,  and,  conquering  my  weak  objections,  kept 
me  with  her  until  the  next  day.  I  persuaded  Francine,  who  had 
sought  me  everywhere,  that,  pursued  by  the  police  officers,  I  had 
been  compelled  to  take  refuge  in  a  house  which  I  could  not  quit 
till  daybreak.  She  was  at  first  satisfied ;  but  having  by  accident 
discovered  that  I  had  passed  the  night  with  a  female,  her  jealousy 
burst  forth  in  overwhelming  and  tearful  reproaches  against  my 
ingratitude,  and  in  her  rage  she  swore  that  she  would  have  me 
arrested.  To  put  me  in  prison  was  certainly  the  best  mode  of 
putting  a  stop  to  my  infidelities ;  but  Francine  was  a  woman  of 
her  word,  and  I  deemed  it  prudent  to  allow  her  anger  to  evaporate, 
intending  to  return  after  some  time,  and  start  with  her  as  we  had 
agreed  on.  However,  as  I  needed  my  clothes,  and  did  not  wish 
to  ask  for  them,  for  fear  of  a  fresh  burst  of  temper,  I  went  alone 
to  our  chamber,  of  which  she  had  the  key,  and  forcing  a  shutter, 
I  took  out  what  I  wanted,  and  left  the  house. 

At  the  end  of  five  days,  clothed  like  a  countryman,  I  left  the 
place  I  had  inhabited  in  the  suburbs,  and  going  into  the  city,  I 
went  to  the  house  of  a  seamstress,  a  friend  of  Francine's,  on  whose 
mediation  I  relied  for  reconciling  us.  This  woman  seemed  so 
greatly  embarrassed,  that  fearing  I  should  implicate  her,  I  only 
begged  her  to  go  and  seek  my  mistress.  *  Yes,'  said  she,  with  a 
very  remarkable  air,  and  without  looking  at  me.  She  went  out, 
and  I  was  left  alone  to  reflect  on  my  strange  reception. 

A  knock  at  the  door  was  heard,  which  I  hastened  to  open, 
thinking  that  I  should  receive  Francine  in  my  arms,  when  a  crowd 
of  gendarmes  and  police-officers  appeared,  who  seizing  me,  I  was 
carried  before  the  magistrate,  who  began  by  asking  me  where  I 
had  been  during  the  last  five  days.  My  answer  was  brief,  as  I 
never  implicated  those  who  sheltered  me.  The  magistrate  observed 
that  my  obstinacy  in  refusing  him  any  explanation  would  go  much 


62  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

against  me,  and  that  my  head  was  in  jeopardy,  etc,  etc.  I  only 
laughed,  as  imagining  this  remark  to  be  a  trap  to  force  me  to 
confess  through  fear.  I  persisted  in  my  silence,  and  was  remanded 
to  the  Petit  Hotel. 

Scarcely  had  I  set  foot  in  the  street,  when  all  eyes  were  fixed 
on  me.  People  called  to  each  other  and  whispered,  which  I 
thought  was  caused  by  my  disguise,  and  I  scarcely  heeded  it. 
They  made  me  enter  a  cell,  where  I  was  left  alone  in  the  straw, 
heavily  ironed.  At  the  end  of  two  hours  the  gaoler  came,  who, 
pretending  to  pity  me,  and  take  an  interest  in  me,  told  me  that  my 
resolution  not  to  confess  where  I  had  spent  the  last  five  days, 
would  injure  me  in  the  estimation  of  the  judges ;  but  I  was  im- 
movable, and  two  more  hours  elapsed,  when  the  gaoler  returned 
with  a  turnkey,  who  took  off  my  fetters,  and  desired  me  to  go  down 
to  the  office,  where  two  judges  were  in  attendance.  I  was  again 
questioned,  and  made  a  similar  reply,  and  they  then  stripped  my 
clothes  entirely  off,  and  stamped  on  my  right  shoulder  a  blow  that 
would  have  killed  an  ox,  which  was  to  mark  me ;  my  clothes  were 
taken  away,  after  being  described  in  the  process-verbal ;  and  I  was 
sent  back  to  my  cell,  covered  with  a  shirt  of  sail-cloth,  in  a  surtout 
half  black  and  half  grey,  in  rags  which  had  served  at  least  two 
generations  of  prisoners. 

All  this  gave  me  food  for  reflection.  It  was  evident  that  the 
seamstress  had  denounced  me,  but  for  what  ?  She  had  no  com- 
plaint to  make  of  me.  In  spite  of  her  fury,  Francine  would  have 
reflected  twice  before  she  denounced  me ;  and  if  I  had  withdrawn 
for  some  days,  it  was  rather  because  I  did  not  wish  to  irritate  her 
by  my  presence,  than  from  any  fear  of  consequences.  Why  these 
reiterated  inquiries,  these  mysterious  words  of  the  gaoler,  and  this 
description  of  my  attire  ?  I  was  lost  in  a  labyrinth  of  conjecture, 
and  for  twenty-five  hours  I  was  kept  in  the  strictest  solitary  confine- 
ment ;  I  then  underwent  an  examination  which  informed  me  of  all. 

'  What  is  your  name  ?' 

'  Eugene  Francois  Vidocq.' 

'  What  is  your  profession  ?* 

1  Military.' 

'  Do  you  know  the  girl  Francine  Longuet  ?* 

'  Yes ;  she  is  my  mistress.' 

*  Do  you  know  where  she  is  at  this  moment  ?* 

'  She  should  be  at  a  friend's  house,  for  she  sold  her  own  furni- 
ture.' 

'What  is  the  name  of  this  friend?* 

*  Madame  Bourgeois.' 

*  Where  does  she  live  f 


THE  EXAMINATION.  63 

*  At  a  baker's  in  the  Rue  St.  Andre*.' 

'  How  long  had  you  left  the  woman  Longuet  when  you  were 
arrested  ?' 

1  Five  days.' 

'  Why  did  you  leave  her  ?* 

'To  avoid  her  anger;  she  knew  that  I  had  passed  the  night 
with  another  female,  and  in  a  fit  of  jealousy  threatened  to  have  me 
arrested.' 

'  Who  was  the  woman  with  whom  you  passed  the  night  ?' 

*  A  former  mistress.' 

'  What  is  her  name  ?' 

*  Eliza — I  only  know  her  by  that  name.' 

*  Where  does  she  live  ?' 

'  At  Brussels,  whither,  I  believe,  she  has  returned.' 
'  Where  are  the  things  which  you  had  in  the  house  of  the  woman 
Longuet  ?' 

'  In  a  place  that  I  can  point  out  if  need  be.' 

*  How  could  you  get  them,  having  quarrelled  with  her,  and  not 
wishing  to  see  her  ?' 

'After  our  quarrel  in  the  Cafe",  where  she  found  me,  she 
threatened  to  call  for  the  guard  to  seize  me :  knowing  her  per- 
verseness,  I  ran  down  the  by-streets,  and  reached  the  house  before 
her,  which  I  had  hoped  to  do,  and  wanting  some  clothes,  I  forced 
a  shutter  to  effect  my  entrance,  and  then  took  out  what  I  wanted. 
You  just  now  asked  me  where  these  things  are,  and  I  will  now  tell 
you  ;  they  are  in  the  Rue  Saint  Sauveur,  at  the  house  of  Duboc, 
who  will  corroborate  this.' 

*  You  do  not  speak  truth — before  you  left  Francine  at  her  house, 
you  had  a  great  quarrel;  it  is  said  that  you  struck  her.' 

'  That  is  false  ;  I  did  not  see  Francine  at  her  own  home  after  the 
quarrel,  and  consequently  I  could  not  have  maltreated  her.  She 
can  corroborate  this.' 

'  Do  you  know  this  knife  r0 

1  Yes  ;  it  is  the  one  I  generally  use  at  my  meals.' 

'  You  see  the  blade  and  haft  are  covered  with  blood.  Does 
not  the  sight  of  it  make  any  impression  upon  you  ?  You  are 
agitated  !' 

'  Yes,'  I  replied  with  emotion  ;  *  but  what  has  happened  to  Fran- 
cine  ?  Tell  me,  and  I  will  give  every  possible  explanation.' 

1  Did  nothing  particular  happen  to  you  when  you  carried  off 
your  clothes  ?' 

1  Nothing  that  I  can  call  to  mind.' 

1  You  persist  in  your  declarations  ? 

'Yes.' 


64  MEMOIRS  OF  VWOCQ. 

1  You  are  imposing  on  justice — that  you  may  have  time  for  re- 
flection on  your  position,  and  the  consequences  of  your  obstinacy, 
I  shall  now  delay  the  remainder  oT  your  examination  until  to- 
morrow. Gendarmes,  watch  this  man  most  carefully — Go.' 

It  was  late  when  I  returned  to  my  cell,  where  they  brought  me 
my  allowance,  which  the  trouble  I  experienced  from  the  result  of 
the  interrogatory  would  not  allow  me  to  eat ;  I  could  not  sleep, 
and  passed  the  whole  night  without  closing  an  eye.  Some  crime 
had  been  committed,  but  on  whom  ?  By  whom  ?  Why  was  I 
inculpated?  I  had  asked  myself  that  question  a  thousand  times, 
without  getting  at  any  rational  solution,  when  they  came  to  fetch 
me  on  the  following  morning  to  renew  my  examination.  After  the 
usual  questions,  a  door  was  opened,  and  two  gendarmes  entered, 
supporting  a  female.  It  was  Francine — Francine  pale,  and  altered 
so  as  to  be  scarcely  recognisable.  On  seeing  me  she  fainted ;  and 
when  I  wished  to  approach  her,  I  was  withheld  by  the  gendarmes. 
They  took  her  away,  and  I  alone  remained  with  the  examining 
judge,  who  asked  me  if  the  sight  of  the  unfortunate  woman  did  not 
prompt  me  to  confess  all.  I  protested  my  innocence,  asserting 
that  I  did  not  know  till  that  instant  that  Francine  was  ill.  I  was 
led  back  to  the  prison,  but  not  to  solitary  confinement,  and  I  could 
then  hope  that  I  might  be  informed  of  all  the  events  of  which  I 
was  so  singularly  the  victim.  I  questioned  the  gaoler,  but  he  would 
not  answer  me ;  I  wrote  to  Francine,  although  I  was  told  that  the 
letters  would  be  detained  by  the  judge,  and  that  she  was  dismissed. 
I  was  on  thorns,  and  at  last  determined  on  sending  for  counsel, 
who,  after  having  learnt  the  accusation,  told  me  that  I  was  charged 
with  attempting  to  assassinate  Francine.  On  the  very  day  I  left 
her,  she  had  been  found  expiring,  stabbed  with  a  knife  in  five 
places,  and  bathed  in  blood.  My  precipitate  fliglit — the  secret 
carrying  away  of  my  clothes,  which  it  was  known  that  I  had  taken 
from  one  place  to  another  as  if  to  elude  the  search  of  justice — the 
broken  shatter  in  my  room — the  footmark  which  resembled  mine 
— all  tended  to  confirm  the  suspicions  of  my  guilt,  and  my  disguise 
still  more  corroborated  it. 

It  was  thought  that  I  only  disguised  myself  and  returned,  to 
learn  whether  she  had  died  without  accusing  me.  One  particular, 
which  would  have  been  in  my  favour  under  any  other  circum- 
stances, now  aggravated  the  charge  against  me ;  as  soon  as  the 
physicians  would  allow  Francine  to  speak,  she  declared  that  she 
had  stabbed  herself,  in  despair,  at  finding  that  she  was  abandoned 
by  a  man  for  whom  she  had  sacrificed  all.  But  her  attachment  to 
me  rendered  her  testimony  suspected,  and  it  was  believed  that  she 
only  spoke  thus  to  save  me. 


ANOTHER  ESCAPE.  65 

My  counsel  had  terminated  this  narrative  at  least  a  quarter  of  an 
hour,  and  I  was  still  listening  like  a  man  oppressed  with  the  night- 
mare. At  the  age  of  twenty  I  was  suffering  under  the  weight  of 
the  twofold  accusation  of  forgery  and  assassination,  without  having 
even  dreamt  of  committing  such  crimes.  I  even  reflected  whether 
I  would  not  hang  myself  at  the  bars  of  my  cell  with  a  straw  rope. 
I  was  losing  my  senses,  but  at  last  collected  myself  sufficiently  to 
detail  all  the  facts  requisite  for  my  exculpation.  In  the  after- 
examination  they  insisted  strongly  on  the  blood  which  the  porter, 
who  had  carried  my  luggage,  stated  he  had  seen  on  my  hands. 
This  blood  had  flowed  from  a  cut  inflicted  by  the  glass  of  a 
window  which  I  had  broken  to  remove  the  shutter,  and  I  could 
produce  two  witnesses  of  this  fact.  My  counsel,  to  whom  I  told 
all  my  grounds  of  defence,  assured  me  that,  united  with  the  testi- 
mony of  Francine,  which  alone  had  been  of  no  avail,  I  should  be 
.acquitted,  which  was  the  case  a  few  days  afterwards.  Francine, 
although  still  very  weak,  came  immediately  to  see  me,  and  con- 
firmed all  the  particulars  which  the  examination  had  first  acquainted 
me  with. 

I  was  thus  relieved  of  an  enormous  weight,  without  being  yet 
-entirely  freed  from  uneasiness  :  my  repeated  escapes  had  delayed 
the  decision  of  the  accusation  of  forgery,  in  which  I  had  been  im- 
plicated, and  nothing  indicated  its  termination,  for  Grouard  had 
also  escaped.  The  result  of  the  charge  from  which  I  had  just 
been  freed  had,  however,  given  me  a  hope,  and  I  thought  nothing 
of  attempting  to  escape,  when  an  opportunity  presented,  which  I 
seized,  as  it  were,  by  instinct.  In  the  chamber  in  which  I  was 
placed  were  the  temporary  prisoners,  and  on  fetching  away  two  of 
them  one  morning,  the  gaoler  forgot  to  close  the  door,  which  I 
perceived,  and  descending  to  the  ground-floor,  found,  on  looking 
about  me,  that  I  had  a  chance.  It  was  scarcely  daybreak,  and  the 
prisoners  were  all  asleep ;  I  had  met  no  one  on  the  staircase,  and 
there  was  no  one  at  the  gate,  which  I  cleared  ;  but  the  gaoler,  who 
was  drinking  a  dram  at  a  public-house  opposite  the  prison,  pursued 
me,  crying  loudly,  '  Stop  him  !  Stop  him !'  He  cried  in  vain, 
for  the  streets  were  empty,  and  the  desire  of  liberty  gave  me  wings. 
In  a  few  minutes  I  got  out  of  sight  of  the  gaoler,  and  soon  reached 
a  house  in  Rue  Saint  Sauveur,  where  I  was  very  certain  they  would 
not  come  to  seek  for  me.  I  was  now  compelled  to  quit  Lille  as 
quickly  as  possible,  as  I  was  too  well  known  there  to  be  long  in 
safety. 

At  nightfall  all  were  on  the  look  out,  and  I  learnt  that  all  the 
gates  were  closed,  and  no  one  let  out  but  through  the  wicket, 
where  police  officers  and  disguised  gendarmes  were  stpHoned  to 

5 


66  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

examine  all  comers.  The  gates  thus  closed  on  me,  I  resolved  on 
descending  the  ramparts,  and  knowing  the  spot  well,  I  went  at  ten 
o'clock  at  night  to  the  bastion  of  Notre-Dame,  which  I  judged  the 
most  propitious  place  for  the  execution  of  my  project.  Having 
tied  to  a  tree  a  cord,  which  I  had  procured  for  the  purpose,  I 
began  to  slide  down,  but  the  weight  of  my  body  impelling  me  more 
rapidly  than  I  anticipated,  the  friction  of  the  cord  made  my  hands 
so  hot  that  I  was  compelled  to  let  go  about  fifteen  feet  from  the 
ground,  and  fell  so  heavily  on  my  right  foot,  that  I  sprained  it,  and 
in  endeavouring  to  get  out  of  the  ditch  I  thought  I  should  never 
be  able  to  effect  it.  Unheard-of  efforts  at  length  extricated  me, 
but  on  reaching  the  plain  I  could  move  no  further. 

There  I  was,  swearing  most  emphatically  against  all  ditches, 
ropes,  and  sprains,  but  this  did  not  relieve  my  embarrassment, 
when  a  man  passed  me  with  one  of  those  cars  so  common  in 
Flanders.  A  crown-piece,  my  only  one,  prevailed  on  him  to  place 
me  on  his  car,  and  convey  me  to  the  next  village.  On  reaching  his 
house  he  laid  me  on  a  bed,  and  rubbed  my  foot  with  brandy  and 
soap,  whilst  his  wife  assisted  him  very  efficiently,  although  staring 
with  wonder  at  my  clothes,  stained  with  the  mud  of  the  ditch. 
They  did  not  ask  for  any  explanation,  but  I  thought  it  expedient 
to  give  one ;  and  to  prepare  myself  for  it,  I  pretended  that  I  was 
greatly  in  want  of  sleep,  and  my  host  left  me.  At  the  end  of  two 
hours  I  called  them,  like  a  man  just  awaking,  and  told  them,  in  a 
few  words,  that  in  conveying  smuggled  tobacco  up  the  ramparts,  I 
had  fallen,  and  my  comrades,  pursued  by  the  custom-house  officers, 
had  been  compelled  to  leave  me  in  the  ditch ;  and  I  added  that  I 
left  myself  in  their  hands  to  do  as  they  pleased  with  me.  These 
good  creatures,  who  hated  the  custom-house  officers  as  cordially 
as  the  inhabitant  of  any  frontier  town  ever  does,  assured  me  that 
they  would  not  for  the  world  betray  me.  To  try  them,  I  asked  if 
there  was  no  means  of  conveyance  to  my  father's  house,  who  lived 
at  the  other  side,  and  they  said  that  such  a  step  would  expose  me, 
and  that  it  would  be  better  to  wait  a  few  days,  until  I  was  well.  I 
consented,  and  to  remove  all  suspicions,  it  was  agreed  that  I  should 
pass  for  a  relation  on  a  visit.  No  one,  however,  made  the  least 
observation. 

Quieted  on  this  head,  I  began  to  reflect  on  my  next  step,  and 
what  I  must  do.  I  determined  on  leaving  these  parts,  and  going 
into  Holland.  But  to  execute  this  plan  money  was  indispensable, 
and  except  my  watch,  which  I  had  offered  to  my  host,  I  possessed 
only  four  shillings  and  tenpence.  I  might  go  to  Francine,  but  then, 
of  course,  she  was  closely  watched  :  and  to  send  her  any  message 
would  infallibly  hazard  her  safety.  At  least,  I  must  wait  until  the 


OSTEND.  67 

heat  of  the  first  pursuit  was  over.  I  did  wait,  and  at  the  end  of  a 
fortnight  I  determined  to  write  to  Francine,  which  I  intrusted  to 
my  host,  telling  him  that,  as  this  female  was  the  go-between  of  the 
smugglers,  he  must  use  much  caution  in  visiting  her.  He  fulfilled 
his  commission  with  much  care,  and  brought  me  next  day  one 
hundred  and  twenty  francs  in  sold.  The  next  day  I  bade  farewell 
to  my  friends,  whose  charges  were  extremely  moderate,  and  at  the 
end  of  six  days  reached  Ostend. 

My  intention,  as  at  my  first  visit  to  this  city,  was  to  go  to 
America  or  India,  but  I  only  met  with  Danish  and  Dutch  skippers, 
who  refused  to  take  me  without  credentials.  The  little  cash  which 
I  had  brought  from  Lille  diminished  rapidly,  and  I  was  approach- 
ing that  situation  with  which  we  become  more  or  less  familiarized, 
but  which  is  not  the  less  disagreeable  on  that  account.  Money 
certainly  does  not  produce  wit,  nor  talents,  nor  understanding ;  but 
the  quiet  of  mind  which  it  superinduces,  the  equanimity  which  it 
affords,  amply  supply  the  place  of  these  qualities ;  whilst  in  the 
absence  of  this  equanimity  these  gifts  are  of  no  avail  with  many 
who  possess  them. 

I  had  heard  much  of  the  adventurous  and  lucrative  life  of  the 
coasting  smugglers,  of  whom  the  prisoners  had  boasted  with  en- 
thusiasm ;  for  this  profession  was  often  followed  through  inclina- 
tion, by  individuals  whose  fortune  and  situation  did  not  compel 
them  to  adopt  so  perilous  a  life.  I  confess,  for  my  part,  that  I 
was  not  seduced  by  the  prospect  of  passing  whole  nights  under 
cliffs,  in  the  midst  of  rocks,  exposed  to  all  winds,  and,  above  all, 
to  the  shots  of  the  custom-house  officers. 

It  was  with  real  repugnance  that  I  went  to  the  house  of  a  man 
named  Peters,  to  whom  I  was  directed,  as  one  deeply  engaged  in 
the  pursuit,  and  able  to  introduce  me  to  it.  A  sea-gull  nailed  on 
his  door  with  extended  wings,  like  the  owls  and  weasels  that  we 
see  on  barns,  guided  me.  I  found  the  worthy  in  a  sort  of  cellar, 
which  by  the  ropes,  sails,  oars,  hammocks,  and  barrels,  which 
filled  it,  might  have  been  taken  for  a  naval  depot  From  the 
midst  of  a  thick  atmosphere  of  smoke  which  surrounded  him,  he 
viewed  me  at  first  with  a  contempt  which  had  not  a  good  appear- 
ance, and  my  conjectures  were  soon  realized,  for  I  had  scarcely 
offered  my  services  than  he  fell  upon  me  with  a  shower  of  blows. 
I  could  certainly  have  resisted  him  effectually,  but  astonishment 
had  in  a  measure  deprived  me  of  the  power  of  defence ;  and  I  saw 
besides,  in  the  court-yard,  half  a  dozen  sailors  and  an  enormous 
Newfoundland  dog,  which  would  have  been  powerful  odds. 
Turned  into  the  street,  I  endeavoured  to  account  for  this  singular 
reception,  when  it  occurred  to  me  that  Peters  had  mistaken  me 
for  a  spy,  a.ncl  treated  me  accordingly. 

5—* 


68  MEMOIRS  OF  VfDOCQ. 

This  idea  determined  me  on  returning  to  a  dealer  in  Hollands 
who  had  told  me  of  him,  and  he,  laughing  at  the  result  of  my  visit, 
gave  me  a  pass- word  that  would  procure  me  free  access  to  Peters. 
Thus  empowered,  I  again  went  to  his  formidable  abode,  having 
first  filled  my  pockets  with  large  stones  which,  in  case  of  a  second 
attack,  might  protect  my  retreat.  Fortunately  I  had  no  need  of 
them.  At  the  words  'Beware  of  the  sharks'  (custom-house 
officers),  I  was  received  in  a  most  amicable  manner,  for  my  strength 
and  activity  made  me  a  valuable  acquisition  to  the  fraternity,  who 
are  often  compelled  to  carry  with  speed,  from  one  spot  to  another, 
the  most  oppressive  loads.  A  Bordeaux  man,  who  was  one  of 
the  gang,  undertook  to  initiate  me,  and  teach  me  the  stratagems 
of  the  profession,  which,  however,  I  was  called  on  to  put  in 
practice  before  my  tuition  had  progressed  very  far. 

I  slept  at  Peters'  house  with  a  dozen  or  fifteen  smugglers,  Dutch, 
Danish,  Swedish,  Portuguese,  and  Russian ;  there  were  no  English- 
men, and  only  two  Frenchmen.  The  day  after  my  installation,  as 
we  were  all  getting  into  our  hammocks,  or  flock  beds,  Peters 
entered  suddenly  into  our  chamber,  which  was  only  a  cellar,  con- 
tiguous to  his  own,  and  so  filled  with  barrels  and  kegs  that  we 
could  scarcely  find  room  to  sling  our  hammocks.  Peters  had  put 
off  his  usual  attire,  which  was  that  of  ship-caulker,  or  sail-maker, 
and  had  on  a  hairy  cap,  and  a  long  red  shirt,  closed  at  the  breast 
with  a  silver  pin,  fire-arms  in  his  belt,  and  a  pair  of  thick  large 
fisherman's  boots,  which  reach  the  top  of  the  thigh,  or  may  be 
folded  down  beneath  the  knee. 

'  A-hoy  !  a-hoy  !'  cried  he  at  the  door,  striking  the  ground  with 
the  butt-end  of  his  carbine,  '  Down  with  the  hammocks,  down 
with  the  hammocks !  We  will  sleep  some  other  day.  The 
Squirrel  has  made  signals  for  a  landing  this  evening,  and  we  must 
see  what  she  has  in  her,  muslin  or  tobacco.  Come,  come,  turn 
out,  my  sea-boys.' 

In  a  twinkling  everybody  was  ready.  They  opened  an  armchest, 
and  every  man  took  out  a  carbine  or  blunderbuss,  a  brace  of 
pistols,  and  a  cutlass  or  boarding-pike,  and  we  set  out,  after  having 
drunk  so  many  glasses  of  brandy  and  arrack  that  the  bottles  were 
empty.  At  this  time  there  were  not  more  than  twenty  of  us,  but 
we  were  joined  or  met,  at  one  place  or  another,  by  so  many  in- 
dividuals, that  on  reaching  the  sea-side  we  were  forty-seven  in 
number,  exclusive  of  two  females  and  some  countrymen  from  the 
adjacent  villages,  who  brought  hired  horses,  which  they  concealed 
in  a  hollow  behind  some  rocks. 

It  was  night,  and  the  wind  was  shifting,  whilst  the  sea  dashed 
with  so  much  force  that  I  did  not  understand  how  any  vessel 


SMUGGLING.  69 

could  approach  without  being  cast  on  shore.  What  confirmed  this 
idea  was,  that  by  the  starlight  I  saw  a  small  boat  rowing  backwards 
and  forwards  as  if  it  feared  to  land.  They  told  me  afterwards 
that  this  was  only  a  manoeuvre  to  ascertain  if  all  was  ready 
for  the  unloading,  and  no  danger  to  be  apprehended.  Peters  now 
lighted  a  reflecting  lantern,  which  one  of  the  men  had  brought, 
and  immediately  extinguished  it ;  the  Squirrel  raised  a  lantern  at 
her  mizen,  which  only  shone  for  a  moment,  and  then  disappeared 
like  a  glow-worm  on  a  summer's  night.  We  then  saw  it  approach, 
and  anchor  about  a  gun-shot  off  from  the  spot  where  we  were. 
Our  troop  then  divided  into  three  companies,  two  of  which  were 
placed  five  hundred  paces  in  front,  to  resist  the  revenue  officers 
if  they  should  present  themselves.  The  men  of  these  companies 
were  then  placed  at  intervals  along  the  ground,  having  at  the  left 
arm  a  packthread  which  ran  from  one  to  the  other  :  in  case  of 
alarm,  it  was  announced  by  a  slight  pull,  and  each  being  ordered 
to  answer  this  signal  by  firing  his  gun,  a  line  of  firing  was  thus 
kept  up,  which  perplexed  the  revenue  officers.  The  third  company, 
of  which  I  was  one,  remained  by  the  sea-side,  to  cover  the  land- 
ing and  the  transport  of  the  cargo. 

All  being  thus  arranged,  the  Newfoundland  dog  already  men- 
tioned, and  who  was  with  us,  dashed  at  a  word  into  the  midst  of 
the  waves  and  swam  powerfully  in  the  direction  of  the  Squirrel, 
and  in  an  instant  afterwards  returned  with  the  end  of  a  rope  in 
his  mouth.  Peters  instantly  seized  it,  and  began  to  draw  it  towards 
him,  making  us  signs  to  assist  him,  which  I  obeyed  mechanically. 
After  a  few  tugs,  I  saw  that  at  the  end  of  the  cable  were  a 
dozen  small  casks,  which  floated  towards  us.  I  then  perceived 
that  the  vessel  thus  contrived  to  keep  sufficiently  far  from  the 
shore  not  to  run  a  risk  of  being  stranded. 

In  an  instant  the  casks,  smeared  over  with  something  that  made 
them  waterproof,  were  unfastened  and  placed  on  horses,  which 
immediately  dashed  off  for  the  interior  of  the  country.  A  second 
cargo  arrived  with  the  same  success ;  but  as  we  were  landing  the 
third,  some  reports  of  fire-arms  announced  that  our  outposts  were 
attacked.  '  There  is  the  beginning  of  the  ball,'  said  Peters  calmly ; 
'  I  must  go  and  see  who  will  dance ;'  and  taking  up  his  carbine, 
he  joined  the  outposts,  which  had  by  this  time  joined  each  other. 
The  firing  became  rapid,  and  we  had  two  men  killed,  and  others 
slightly  wounded.  At  the  fire  of  the  revenue  officers,  we  soon 
found  that  they  exceeded  us  in  number,  but  alarmed,  and  fearing 
an  ambuscade,  they  dared  not  to  approach,  and  we  effected  our 
retreat  without  any  attempt  on  their  part  to  prevent  it.  From  the 
beginning  of  the  fight  the  Squirrel  had  weighed  anchor  and  stood 


70  MEMOIRS  OF  V1DOCQ. 

out  at  sea,  for  fear  that  the  noise  of  the  firing  should  bring  down 
on  her  the  Government  cruiser.  I  was  told  that  most  probably  she 
would  unload  her  cargo  in  some  other  part  of  the  coast,  where  the 
owners  had  numerous  agents. 

On  the  return  to  Peters'  house,  at  break  of  day,  I  threw  myself 
into  my  hammock,  and  did  not  leave  it  for  eight-and-forty  hours : 
the  fatigue  of  the  night,  the  moisture  which  penetrated  my  clothes, 
whilst  exercise  had  made  me  perspire  profusely,  and  the  uneasi- 
ness of  my  new  situation,  all  combined  to  make  me  ill,  and  a  fever 
seized  me.  When  it  left  me,  I  told  Peters  that  I  found  the  em- 
ployment too  hard,  and  that  I  should  be  glad  if  he  would  allow 
me  to  go.  He  agreed  more  quietly  than  I  expected,  and  gave  me 
a  hundred  francs.  I  have  since  learnt  that  he  had  me  followed 
for  several  days,  to  be  assured  whether  or  no  T  took  the  road  to 
Lille,  which  I  had  told  him  was  my  intention. 

I  did  go  to  that  city,  led  by  a  childish  wish  to  see  Francine, 
and  take  her  with  me  to  Holland,  where  I  had  formed  a  plan  of  a 
small  establishment.  But  my  imprudence  was  soon  punished ;  for 
two  gendarmes,  who  were  drinking  in  a  pot-house,  saw  me  cross- 
ing the  street,  and  they  resolved  on  following  me  to  ask  for  my 
papers.  They  overtook  me  at  a  turning,  and  the  trouble  which 
their  appearance  caused  me  determined  them  on  apprehending 
me.  They  took  me  to  the  brigade  prison,  where  I  was  already 
looking  out  for  means  of  escape,  when  I  heard  some  one  say  to 
the  gendarmes,  *  Here  is  the  guard  of  Lille ;  is  there  any  one  for 
the  prison  ?'  Two  men  of  the  Lille  brigade  came  to  the  prison 
and  asked  if  there  was  any  game  in  the  trap.  *  Yes,'  said  the 
fellows  who  took  me,  *  we  have  one  named  Leger  (my  assumed 
name),  whom  we  found  without  a  passport.'  They  opened  the 
door,  and  the  brigadier  of  Lille,  who  had  often  seen  me  at  the 
Petit  Hotel,  cried,  *  By  Jove,  'tis  Vidocq !'  I  was  compelled  to 
confess  it,  and  setting  out,  I  entered  Lille  a  few  hours  afterwards, 
between  my  two  bodyguards. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

The  pewter  keys— A  hussar — Retaken  and  condemned. 

I  FOUND  at  the  Petit  Hotel  the  greater  number  of  the  prisoners 
who  had  been  emancipated  before  my  escape.  Some  of  them  had 
made  but  a  very  short  absence,  and  were  speedily  apprehended, 
charged  with  fresh  crimes,  or  fresh  offences.  Amongst  them  was 
Calandrin,  whom  I  have  spoken  about :  enlarged  on  the  i  ith,  he 
was  retaken  on  the  i3th,  charged  with  burglary  and  being  an 


THE  PEWTER  KEYS.  71 

accomplice  of  the  Chauffeurs,  whose  name  alone  inspired  universal 
dread.  On  the  strength  of  the  reputation  which  my  various  escapes 
had  procured  for  me,  these  men  looked  on  me  as  one  on  whom 
they  might  rely.  On  my  side,  I  could  scarcely  separate  myself 
from  them.  Accused  of  capital  offences,  they  had  a  powerful 
motive  for  being  secret  concerning  our  attempts,  whilst  the  un- 
fortunate *  petty  larceny  rascal '  might  denounce  us,  in  the  dread 
of  being  accused  of  being  privy  to  our  designs.  This  is  the  logic 
of  the  prison.  This  escape,  however,  was  not  so  very  easy  a  matter, 
as  may  be  surmised  when  I  say  that  our  dungeons,  seven  feet 
square,  had  walls  six  feet  thick,  strengthened  with  planking  crossed 
and  riveted  with  iron  ;  a  window,  two  feet  by  one,  closed  with 
three  iron  gratings  placed  one  after  the  other,  and  the  door  cased 
with  wrought  iron.  With  such  precautions,  a  gaoler  might 
depend  on  the  safe  keeping  of  his  charge,  but  yet  we  overcame 
it  all. 

I  was  in  a  cell  on  the  second  floor  with  Duhamel.  For  six 
francs,  a  prisoner,  who  was  also  a  turnkey,  procured  us  two  files,  a 
ripping  chisel,  and  two  turnscrews.  .  We  had  pewter  spoons,  and 
our  gaoler  was  probably  ignorant  of  the  use  which  prisoners  could 
make  of  them.  I  knew  the  dungeon  key  ;  it  was  the  counterpart 
of  all  the  others  on  the  same  story  ;  and  I  cut  a  model  of  it  from 
a  large  carrot ;  then  I  made  a  mould  with  crumb  of  bread  and 
potatoes.  We  wanted  fire,  and  we  procured  it  by  making  a  lamp 
with  a  piece  of  fat  and  the  rags  of  a  cotton  cap.  The  key  was  at 
last  made  of  pewter,  but  it  was  not  yet  perfect ;  and  it  was  only 
after  many  trials  and  various  alterations  that  it  fitted  at  last.  Thus 
masters  of  the  doors,  we  were  compelled  to  work  a  hole  in  the 
wall,  near  the  barns  of  the  town-hall.  Sallambier,  who  was  in  the 
dungeons  below,  found  a  way  to  cut  the  hole,  by  working 
through  the  planking.  All  was  ready  for  our  escape,  and  it  was 
fixed  for  the  evening,  when  the  gaoler  told  me  that  my  term  of 
dungeon  imprisonment  had  expired,  and  I  should  be  placed  again 
with  the  other  prisoners. 

A  favour  was  never  less  welcome  ;  I  saw  all  my  preparations 
useless,  and  I  might  wait  for  a  long  time  for  circumstances  as 
favourable.  I  was, 'however,  compelled  to  follow  the  gaoler,  whom 
I  wished  at  the  devil  with  his  congratulations.  This  disappoint- 
ment affected  me  so  greatly  that  all  the  prisoners  saw  it.  One  of 
them,  having  learnt  my  secret  from  me,  made  some  very  just  ob- 
servations on  the  danger  I  ran  in  escaping  with  such  men  as 
Sallambier  and  Duhamel  who  would  perhaps  not  be  out  of  prison 
twenty-four  hours  without  committing  a  murder.  He  even  made 
me  promise  to  let  them  go,  and  wait  myself  for  some  other  oppor- 


n  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

tunity.  I  followed  his  advice,  and  it  was  well  that  I  did  so ;  I 
even  took  the  precaution  of  telling  Duhamel  and  Sallambier  that 
they  were  suspected,  and  that  they  had  not  a  moment  to  spare  in 
saving  themselves.  They  followed  my  advice  literally,  and  two 
hours  afterwards  they  had  joined  a  band  of  forty-seven  Chauf- 
feurs, of  whom  twenty-eight  were  executed  the  following  month  at 
Bruges. 

The  escape  of  Duhamel  and  Sallambier  made  a  great  noise  in 
the  prison,  and  throughout  the  city.  They  found  some  extra- 
ordinary circumstances  belonging  to  it,  but  the  gaoler  was  the 
more  astonished  that  I  had  not  made  one  of  the  party.  It  was 
necessary  to  repair  the  breach  they  had  made,  and  workmen  came; 
and  they  stationed  at  the  bottom  of  the  staircase  a  guard  with 
orders  not  to  let  anyone  pass.  The  thought  came  to  me  of  de- 
ceiving the  sentinel,  and  getting  out  by  the  breach  which  was  to 
have  aided  my  escape  before. 

Francine,  who  came  every  day  to  see  me,  brought  me  three  ells 
of  tricoloured  ribbon,  which  I  had  requested  her  to  procure.  With 
one  piece  I  made  a  belt,  and  ornamenting  my  hat  with  the  rest,  I 
passed,  muffled  up,  by  the  soldier  ;  who,  taking  me  for  a  municipal 
officer,  presented  his  arms.  I  ascended  the  staircase  quickly- 
reached  the  opening,  which  I  found  guarded  by  two  sentinels,  one 
in  the  granary  of  the  town-hall,  and  the  other  in  the  passage  of  the 
prison.  I  told  the  latter  that  it  was  impossible  for  a  man  to  pass 
through  this  opening ;  he  insisted  on  the  contrary ;  and  his  com- 
rade, as  if  plotting  with  me,  said  that  I  could  get  through  with  my 
clothes  on.  I  said  I  would  try  :  and  creeping  through  the  hole,  I 
got  into  the  barn.  Pretending  that  I  had  hurt  myself  in  passing, 
I  told  my  two  men  that  as  I  was  on  that  side  I  should  go  round  by 
another  way.  *  In  this  case,'  sj>\d  he  who  was  in  the  granary,  *  wait 
whilst  I  open  the  door ;  and  putting  the  key  in  the  lock,  I  jumped 
at  two  bounds  down  the  staircase  of  the  town-hall  and  got  into  the 
street  with  my  ribbon  still  on,  and  which  would  again  have  caused 
my  arrest  had  not  the  day  been  drawing  to  a  close. 

I  was  scarcely  out,  when  the  gaoler,  who  rarely  lost  sight  of  me, 
said,  '  Where  is  Vidocq  ?'  They  told  him  that  I  was  taking  a  turn 
in  the  yard  ;  but  when  he  went  there  to  convince  himself,  he 
sought  me  everywhere  in  vain,  calling  loudly  over  all  parts  of  the 
prison  (an  official  search  would  not  have  been  more  successful) ; 
no  prisoner  had  seen  me  go  out.  It  was  soon  known  that  I  was  no 
longer  in  the  prison ;  but  how  then  could  I  have  escaped  ?  Of 
this  no  one  knew  anything — not  even  Francine,  who  most  in- 
genuously declared  that  she  knew  nothing  of  how  I  had  liberated 
myself,  for  she  had  brought  me  the  ribbon  without  knowing  the 


RETAKEN*  73 

purpose  for  which  I  intended  it.  She  was,  however,  Confined  ;  but 
this  revealed  nothing,  the  soldiers,  who  had  allowed  me  to  pass, 
taking  good  care  not  to  implicate  themselves. 

Whilst  they  were  thus  punishing  the  pretended  authors  of  my 
Olivier  escape,  I  left  the  city  and  reached  Courtrai,  where  the  juggler 
and  the  quack  Devoye  enrolled  me  in  their  troop  to  play  panto- 
mime. I  saw  there  many  prisoners  who  had  escaped,  whose  acting 
costume,  which  they  always  wore  (because  they  had  no  other), 
served  greatly  to  mystify  the  police.  From  Courtrai  we  returned  to 
Ghent,  whence  we  were  soon  to  depart  for  the  fair  of  Enghien. 
We  were  in  this  latter  city  for  five  days  :  and  the  receipt,  of  which 
I  had  a  share,  was  very  good  ;  when  one  evening,  as  I  was  about 
to  go  on  the  stage,  I  was  arrested  by  the  police  officers,  to  whom  I 
had  been  betrayed  by  the  Merry-Andrew,  out  of  malice  at  seeing 
me  fill  the  chief  characters.  I  was  again  taken  back  to  Lille,  where 
I  learnt,  to  my  great  grief,  that  my  poor  Francine  had  been  sen- 
tenced to  six  months'  confinement  for  having  aided  my  escape. 
The  turnkey  Baptiste — whose  only  crime  was  that  of  having  taken 
me  for  a  superior  officer,  and  having  allowed  me  in  this  capacity 
to  quit  St.  Peter's  Tower — the  unlucky  Baptiste  was  also  im- 
prisoned for  the  same  fault  The  terrible  charge  against  him  was, 
that  the  prisoners  (overjoyed  at  an  opportunity  of  revenging  them- 
selves) declared  that  a  hundred  crowns  had  made  him  take  a 
young  man  of  nineteen  for  an  old  soldier  on  the  shady  side  of 
fifty. 

As  for  me,  I  was  sent  to  the  prison  of  the  Department  of  Douai, 
where  I  was  treated  as  a  dangerous  man  ;  that  is  to  say,  I  was 
thrust  into  a  dungeon  with  my  hands  and  legs  in  fetters.  I  found 
there  my  townsman  Desfosseux  and  a  young  man  named  Doyen- 
ette,  condemned  to  chains  for  sixteen  years  for  a  burglary  effected 
with  his  father,  mother,  and  two  brothers  under  fifteen  years  of  age. 
They  had  been  four  months  in  the  dungeon  where  I  was  put,  lying 
on  straw,  eaten  up  with  vermin,  and  living  on  bean-bread  and 
water.  I  ordered  my  provisions,  which  were  soon  consumed  ;  we 
then  talked  over  our  business,  and  my  fellow  prisoners  told  me 
that  for  the  last  fortnight  they  were  making  a  hole  under  the  pave- 
ment of  the  dungeon  which  would  open  at  the  level  of  the  Scarpe, 
which  washed  the  prison  walls.  I  at  first  regarded  the  enterprise 
as  difficult,  as  it  was  necessary  to  pierce  a  wall  five  feet  thick  and 
yet  avoid  the  observation  of  the  gaoler,  whose  frequent  visits  would 
not  allow  of  our  suffering  a  morsel  of  rubbish  to  be  seen. 

We  eluded  detection  from  this  by  throwing  out  of  the  window, 
which  overlooked  the  Scarpe,  every  handful  of  rubbish  that  we  got 
from  our  mine.  Desfosseux  had  besides  found  means  of  ridding 


74  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

us  of  our  fetters,  and  we  worked  with  less  fatigue  and  difficulty. 
One  of  us  was  always  in  the  hole,  which  was  already  large  enough 
to  admit  a  man.  We  thought  that  we  had  at  length  terminated 
our  labours  and  our  captivity,  when  we  discovered  that  the  founda- 
tions, which  we  had  imagined  to  be  composed  of  common  stone, 
were  formed  of  masses  of  sandstone  of  large  size.  This  compelled 
us  to  enlarge  our  subterranean  gallery,  and  for  a  week  we  worked 
at  it  unremittingly.  To  conceal  the  disappearance  of  that  one  of 
us  who  might  be  at  work  when  the  guard  went  round,  we  had 
filled  a  vest  and  shirt  with  straw,  and  placed  the  figure  in  the 
posture  of  a  sleeping  man.  . 

After  fifty-five  days  and  nights  of  unrelaxing  toil,  we  at  last  so 
far  completed  our  work  that  we  had  but  one  stone  to  remove,  and 
then  should  reach  the  river's  banks.  One  night  we  determined  on 
making  an  essay,  and  all  appeared  favourable  to  our  design  ;  the 
gaoler  had  locked  up  earlier  than  usual,  and  a  dense  fog  gave  us  a 
confident  hope  of  avoiding  the  sentinel  of  the  bridge.  The  shaken 
stone  yielded  to  our  efforts,  and  fell  inside  the  aperture  we  had 
made ;  but  the  water  followed  it  at  the  same  time  as  if  impelled  by 
the  sluice  of  a  mill.  We  had  calculated  our  distance  incorrectly, 
and  the  hole  being  made  some  feet  beneath  the  level  of  the  river, 
we  were  soon  deluged.  At  first  we  endeavoured  to  plunge  through 
the  opening  ;  but  the  rapidity  of  the  current  precluded  all  attempts, 
and  we  were  compelled  to  call  for  help,  or  remain  immersed  in 
water  for  the  whole  night.  At  our  cries  the  gaoler  and  turnkeys 
ran  to  our  assistance,  and  were  greatly  astonished  at  finding  them- 
selves mid-leg  deep  in  water.  All  was  soon  discovered  and  the 
mischief  repaired,  whilst  we  were  shut  up  singly  in  dungeons  in 
the  same  gallery.  . 

This  catastrophe  filled  me  with  very  sad  reflections,  from  which 
I  was  very  soon  aroused  by  the  voice  of  Desfosseux,  who  told  me, 
in  slang  terms,  not  to  despair,  but  to  take  courage  by  his  example. 
Desfosseux  was  certainly  endowed  with  a  strength  of  mind  which 
nothing  could  depress  :  cast  half  naked  on  the  straw  in  a  dungeon, 
where  he  could  scarcely  lie  at  length,  loaded  with  thirty  pounds' 
weight  of  fetters,  he  yet  sang  with  great  vociferation,  and  was  only 
devising  means  of  escape,  that  he  might  again  do  some  evil  deed ; 
and  opportunity  was  not  long  wanting. 

In  the  same  prison  with  us  were  confined  the  gaoler  of  the 
Petit  Hotel  of  Lille,  and  the  turnkey  Baptiste,  both  accused  of 
having  aided  my  escape  for  a  bribe.  The  day  of  their  trial  having 
arrived,  the  gaoler  was  acquitted,  but  Baptiste's  sentence  was 
deferred,  the  tribunal  having  decreed  a  fresh  process,  in  which  I 
v.as  to  be  heard.  Poor  Baptiste  then  came  to  me,  begging  me  to 


THE  CASE  OF  FILES.  75 

tell  the  truth.  At  first  I  only  gave  him  evasive  answers  ;  but  Des« 
fosseux  having  told  me  that  the  man  might  serve  us,  and  that  we 
must  arrange  terms  with  him,  I  promised  to  do  what  he  wished  : 
on  which  he  made  me  vast  professions  of  gratitude  and  offers  of 
service.  I  took  him  at  his  word,  and  desired  him  to  bring  me  a 
knife  and  two  large  nails,  of  which  Desfosseux  had  told  me  that 
he  had  need,  and  in  an  hour  I  had  them  brought  to  me.  On 
learning  that  I  had  procured  them,  Desfosseux  made  as  many 
jumps  as  his  fetters  and  his  bounded  space  would  allow :  Doy- 
enette  equally  gave  himself  up  to  the  most  excessive  joy  ;  and,  as 
gaiety  is  in  general  catching,  I  felt  myself  too  in  a  mirthful  mood, 
without  exactly  knowing  why. 

When  these  transports  had  a  little  subsided,  Desfosseux  desired 
me  to  look  at  the  roof  of  my  dungeon  and  observe  if  there  were 
not  five  stones  whiter  than  the  rest :  and  on  my  replying  in  the 
affirmative,  he  desired  me  to  try  the  divisions  with  the  point  of 
my  knife,  which  I  did,  and  found  the  cement  had  been  replaced 
by  crumbs  of  bread,  whitened  with  scraping :  and  Desfosseux  told 
me,  that  the  prisoner  who  had  been  there  before  me  had  done 
this  to  remove  the  stones  and  save  himself,  when  he  had  been  taken 
to  another  part  of  the  prison.  I  thus  transferred  the  knife  to  Des- 
fosseux, who  employed  himself  with  activity  in  opening  a  passage 
to  my  dungeon,  when  we  were  served  similar  to  my  predecessor. 
The  gaoler,  having  got  wind  of  something,  changed  our  dungeons, 
and  placed  us  all  three  in  a  dungeon  next  to  the  Scarpe,  where 
we  were  chained  together  :  so  that  the  least  movement  of  one  of 
us  was  communicated  to  the  others,  a  horrid  punishment  when 
prolonged,  and  which  ends  in  a  total  deprivation  of  sleep.  At 
the  end  of  two  days,  Desfosseux,  seeing  us  dejected,  resolved  on 
using  a  means  which  he  only  resorted  to  on  desperate  occasions, 
and  which  he  reserved  as  the  preparatory  steps  towards  escape. 

Like  many  of  the  galley-slaves  he  carried  secretly  about  him  a 
case  full  of  files,  with  which  he  set  to  work,  and  in  less  than  three 
hours  our  fetters  fell  off;  we  cast  them  through  the  grating  into 
the  river.  The  gaoler  coming  to  visit  us  the  moment  after  to  see 
if  we  were  quiet,  almost  fell  backwards  at  finding  us  freed  from  our 
irons,  and  asked  us  what  we  had  done  with  them  :  to  which  we 
only  replied  with  jokes.  The  inspector  of  the  prison  arriving, 
together  with  an  attendant  bailiff  named  Hurtrel,  we  were  com- 
pelled to  undergo  a  fresh  examination  :  and  Desfosseux,  who  was 
much  irritated,  said,  *  You  ask  for  our  fetters  ?  Well,  the  worms 
have  eaten  them,  and  will  eat  as  many  as  you  may  load  us  with.1 
—The  inspector  then  suspecting  that  we  had  the  famous  herb 
which  cuts  iron,  which  no  botanist  had  tver  yet  discovered,  ordered 


?6  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

us  to  strip  and  be  examined  from  head  to  foot,  and  then  again 
loaded  us  with  irons,  which  were  again  cut  off  the  following  night ; 
for  the  precious  case  was  not  discovered.  This  time  we  reserved 
to  ourselves  the  pleasure  of  throwing  them  on  the  ground  in  the 
presence  of  the  inspector  and  Hurtrel  the  bailiff,  who  did  not 
know  what  to  think  of  it.  The  report  spread  through  the  city, 
that  there  was  in  the  prison  a  conjuror  who  took  fetters  off  by  only 
touching  them.  To  cut  short  all  these  accounts,  and  particularly 
to  avoid  drawing  the  attention  of  the  other  prisoners  to  means  of 
getting  rid  of  their  chains,  the  public  accuser  gave  an  order  to 
shut  us  up  and  watch  us  with  particular  care — a  recommendation 
which  did  not  prevent  us  from  quitting  Douai  sooner  than  they 
expected,  or  than  we  ourselves  had  the  least  idea  of. 

Twice  a  week  we  had  leave  to  consult  our  counsel  in  the  gallery, 
of  which  one  door  led  to  the  court  of  justice,  and  I  contrived  to 
get  an  impression  of  the  lock ;  Desfosseux  made  a  key,  and  one 
fine  day,  whilst  my  counsel  was  engaged  with  another  client, 
accused  of  two  murders,  we  all  three  got  out  without  being  seen. 
Two  other  gates,  which  opposed  us,  were  broken  open  in  a 
twinkling,  and  the  prison  was  soon  left  behind  us.  But  yet  I  was 
uneasy  :  six  francs  was  our  whole  stock,  and  we  could  not  get  far 
with  such  a  sum;  which  I  told  my  companions,  who  looked  at 
each  other  with  a  sinister  smile  :  and  on  my  repeating  my  obser- 
vation, they  told  me  that,  on  the  next  night,  they  intended  to 
enter  a  house  in  the  neighbourhood  with  which  they  were  well 
acquainted. 

I  had  no  intention  of  turning  housebreaker,  any  more  than 
when  I  was  amongst  the  Bohemiens.  I  had  profited  by  the 
experience  of  Desfosseux  in  escaping,  but  never  contemplated 
uniting  myself  with  such  a  villain  :  and  yet  I  was  not  desirous 
of  entering  into  any  explanation.  By  evening  we  had  reached  a 
village  on  the  road  to  Cambrai ;  we  had  not  eaten  since  our  escape 
from  prison,  and  were  sorely  pressed  by  hunger.  It  was  absolutely 
necessary  to  get  provisions  in  the  village.  The  half-naked  appear- 
ance of  my  companions  might  give  rise  to  suspicion,  and  it  was 
agreed  that  I  should  go  for  the  food.  I  went  to  a  public-house, 
where,  after  having  taken  some  bread  and  brandy,  I  went  out  by 
a  different  door  from  that  at  which  I  had  entered,  directing  my 
steps  in  the  opposite  direction  to  that  in  which  I  had  left  the  two 
men  whose  company  I  was  so  greatly  desirous  of  getting  rid  of. 
I  walked  all  night,  and  only  stopped  at  break  of  day  to  sleep  a 
few  hours  on  a  hay-stack. 

Four  days  afterwards  I  reached  Compiegne,  on  my  way  to  Paris, 
v.heie  I  trusted  to  find  some  means  of  existence  until  my  mother 


BACi:  1O  DOUAI.  77 

coM  send  me  some  succour.  At  Louvres,  meeting  a  regiment 
of  black  hussars,  I  asked  the  quarter-master  if  I  could  enter,  but 
he  told  me  that  they  did  not  enlist ;  and  the  lieutenant,  to  whom 
I  afterwards  applied,  gave  me  the  same  reply,  but,  touched  by  the 
embarrassment  of  my  situation,  he  agreed  to  keep  me  to  clean  the 
extra  horses  which  he  was  going  to  procure  at  Paris.  A  cap  of  a 
police  officer  and  an  old  cloak  which  was  given  to  me,  enabled 
me  to  clear  the  barrier  unquestioned,  and  I  went  to  the  military 
school  with  the  detachment,  which  I  afterwards  accompanied  to 
the  depot  at  Guise.  On  arriving  in  this  city,  I  was  presented  to 
the  colonel,  who,  although  suspecting  me  to  be  a  deserter, 
engaged  me  under  the  name  of  Lannoy,  which  I  assumed  without 
being  able  to  justify  by  any  credentials.  Concealed  by  my  new 
uniform,  and  mingling  with  the  rank  of  a  numerous  regiment,  I 
thought  myself  secure,  and  began  to  think  of  making  my  way  as  a 
soldier,  when  an  unfortunate  accident  again  befell  me. 

On  entering  the  barrack  one  morning,  I  met  a  gendarme  who 
had  left  Douai  fof  Guise.  He  had  so  frequently  seen  me,  that  he 
knew  me  at  first  sight  and  called  to  me.  We  were  in  the  midst 
of  the  street,  and  thoughts  of  escape  were  useless ;  I  therefore 
went  up  to  him  and  boldly  feigned  to  be  glad  to  see  him.  He 
replied  to  me,  but  with  an  air  that  seemed  to  augur  me  no  good. 
Whilst  thus  together,  a  hussar  of  my  squadron,  seeing  me  with  the 
gendarme,  approached  and  said  to  me,  *  Well,  Lannoy,  what  are 
you  doing  with  the  round  hats?'  *  Lannoy  !'  said  the  gendarme 
with  astonishment.  '  Yes,  it  is  a  nom  de  guerre?  l  Oh,  we  will  see 
about  that,'  said  he,  seizing  my  collar.  I  was  compelled  to  follow 
him  to  prison,  and  my  identity  being  confirmed,  in  opposition  to 
my  statements  at  the  regiment,  I  was  by  a  cursed  chance  again 
sent  to  Douai. 

This  sentence  completely  overpowered  me,  and  the  intelligence 
that  reached  me  at  Douai  was  not  calculated  to  set  me  at  rest.  I 
heard  that  Grouard,  Herbaux,  Stofflet,  and  Boitel,  had  decided  by 
lot  that  one  of  them  should  confess  the  execution  of  the  forgery ; 
but  as  this  forgery  could  only  be  the  work  of  one  person,  they 
determined  on  accusing  me,  thus  punishing  me  for  what  I  had 
said  of  them  at  my  last  examination ,  and  I  learnt  besides,  that 
the  prisoner  who  could  have  corroborated  my  statement  was  dead. 
If  anything  could  console  me,  it  was  that  I  had  escaped  in  time 
from  Desfosseux  and  Doyenette,  who  had  been  taken  four  days 
after  our  escape  with  their  booty  about  them,  in  a  mercer's  shop 
in  Ponte  a-Marcq.  I  soon  saw  them,  and  as  they  were  astonished 
at  my  abrupt  departure,  I  told  them  that  the  arrival  of  a  gendarme 
at  the  public-house  where  I  was  purchasing  provisions  had  com- 


78  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

pelled  me  to  fly  with  speed.  Again  united,  we  formed  new  plans 
of  escape,  which  the  approach  of  our  trials  rendered  of  great  im- 
portance to  us. 

One  evening  a  convoy  of  prisoners  arrived,  four  of  whom, 
ironed,  were  placed  with  us.  They  were  the  brothers  Duhesme, 
rich  farmers  of  Bailleul,  where  they  had  enjoyed  the  best  reputa- 
tion, until  an  unexpected  accident  unfolded  their  real  characters. 
These  four  persons,  men  of  powerful  strength,  were  at  the  head  of 
a  band  of  Chauffeurs,  who  had  struck  terror  into  the  vicinity, 
without  any  person  being  able  to  identify  them.  The  prattling  of 
a  little  girl  of  one  of  the  Duhesmes  at  last  exposed  the  affair. 
This  child,  chatting  at  a  neighbour's  house,  said  that  she  had 
been  very  much  frightened  the  night  before.  '  And  with  what  ?' 
said  the  curious  neighbour.  *  Oh,  papa  came  home  again  with  the 
black  men.'  'The  black  men?'  'Yes,  the  men  who  go  out  with 
papa  every  night,  and  come  home  in  the  day-time  and  count  out 
money ;  my  mother  lights  the  candle,  and  my  aunt  Genevieve  also, 
because  my  uncles  are  amongst  the  black  men.  I  asked  my 
mother  one  day  what  it  was  all  about,  and  she  said,  *  Be  discreet, 
my  child;  your  father  has  a  black  hen  who  finds  him  in  money,  but 
it  is  only  at  night,  and  that  he  should  not  scare  it,  he  makes  his 
face  as  black  as  her  feathers.  Be  silent,  for  if  you  tell  anybody 
what  you  have  seen,  the  black  hen  will  never  come  again.'  We 
may  easily  divine  that  it  was  not  to  visit  the  mysterious  hen  that 
the  Duhesmes  blackened  their  faces  with  smoke.  The  neighbour, 
who  guessed  as  much,  communicated  her  suspicion  to  her  husband, 
who,  in  his  turn,  questioned  the  little  girl,  and,  convinced  that 
the  favourites  of  the  black  hen  were  Chauffeurs,  he  made  a  deposi- 
tion, and  on  measures  being  taken,  the  band  were  apprehended,  all 
disguised,  as  they  were  about  to  sally  out  on  an  expedition. 

The  youngest  Duhesme  had,  in  the  sole  of  his  shoe,  a  knife- 
blade,  which  he  had  contrived  to  conceal  on  the  road  from  Bailleul 
to  Douai.  Being  told  that  I  knew  the  way  of  the  prison,  he  commu- 
nicated this  to  me,  asking  me  if  it  were  not  possible  to  effect  an 
escape  with  its  assistance.  I  was  reflecting  about  it,  when  a  justice 
of  the  peace,  attended  by  gendarmes,  came  to  make  a  strict  search 
throughout  our  room,  and  about  our  persons.  No  one  amongst 
us  knowing  the  reason  of  this,  I  thought  it  prudent  to  hide  in  my 
mouth  a  small  file  which  I  had  always  about  me,  but  one  of  the 
gendarmes  having  watched  me,  cried,  'He  is  going  to  swallow  it !' 
'  Swallow  what  ?'  Everybody  looked,  and  we  then  learnt  that  they 
wanted  to  find  the  seal  which  had  served  to  stamp  the  forged  order 
for  Boitel's  liberation.  Suspected,  as  we  have  just  learnt,  of  having 
got  it,  I  was  transferred  to  the  prison  of  the  town-hall,  and  thrust  in 


CAPTURED  AGAIN.  79 

a  dungeon  so  chained  that  my  right  hand  was  confined  to  my  left 
leg,  and  my  left  hand  to  my  right  leg.  The  dungeon  was,  more- 
over, so  damp,  that  in  twenty  minutes  the  straw  which  they  had 
thrown  me  was  as  wet  as  if  it  had  been  dipped  in  water. 

I  remained  eight  days  in  this  frightful  state,  and  when  they 
found  that  it  was  impossible  I  could  have  got  rid  of  the  seal  in  the 
way  suspected,  I  was  ordered  to  the  usual  prison.  On  learning 
this  intelligence,  I  pretended,  as  is  often  done  under  such  circum- 
stances, to  be  exceedingly  weak  and  scarcely  able  to  bear  the  light 
of  day.  The  unwholesome  state  of  the  dungeon  made  this  very 
probable,  and  the  gendarmes  fell  completely  into  the  snare,  and 
carried  their  complaisance  so  far  as  to  cover  my  eyes  with  a  hand- 
kerchief, and  then  deposited  me  in  a  hackney-coach.  On  the  road 
I  took  off  the  handkerchief,  and  opening  the  door,  with  a  dexterity 
never  yet  surpassed,  jumped  out  into  the  street ;  the  gendarmes 
sought  to  follow,  but,  impeded  by  their  sabres  and  jack-boots,  they 
had  scarcely  got  out  of  the  carriage  when  I  was  at  a  considerable 
distance.  I  quitted  the  city  instantly,  and  resolved  on  embarking, 
I  reached  Dunkirk  with  some  money  which  my  mother  had  trans- 
mitted to  me.  I  there  made  friends  with  the  supercargo  of  a 
Swedish  brig,  who  promised  to  get  me  a  berth  on  board. 

While  waiting  for  orders  to  sail,  my  new  friend  proposed  that  I 
should  accompany  him  to  Saint  Omer,  where  he  was  going  to  get  a 
large  quantity  of  biscuit  I  did  not  fear  recognition  in  my  sailor's 
clothes,  and  agreed,  as  it  was  impossible  to  refuse  a  man  to  whom 
I  was  under  such  great  obligations.  I  went  with  him,  but  my 
turbulent  character  would  not  allow  me  to  remain  quiet  in  a  pot- 
house row,  and  I  was  arrested  as  a  riotous  fellow  and  taken  to  the 
watch-house.  There  they  asked  for  my  papers,  of  which  I  had 
none,  and  my  answers  inducing  a  belief  that  I  might  be  an  escaped 
prisoner,  they  sent  me  the  next  day  to  the  central  prison  of  Douai, 
without  allowing  me  to  bid  adieu  to  the  supercargo,  who  was 
doubtlessly  much  surprised  at  this  occurrence.  At  Douai,  they 
put  me  once  more  in  the  prison  of  the  town-hall,  where  at  first  the 
gaoler  evinced  much  kindness  towards  me,  which  did  not  however 
last.  At  the  termination  of  a  quarrel  with  the  turnkeys,  in  which 
I  took  too  active  a  part,  I  was  thrown  into  a  dark  cell  under  the 
tower.  There  were  five  of  us,  one  of  whom,  a  deserter  sentenced 
to  death,  was  talking  of  nothing  but  suicide,  until  I  desired  him 
not  to  think  of  that,  but  rather  devise  means  of  escape  from  this 
dismal  hole,  where  the  rats,  which  ran  about  like  rabbits  in  a  corn- 
field, ate  our  bread  and  bit  our  faces  whilst  we  slept.  With  a 
bayonet,  stolen  from  one  of  the  soldiers  of  the  National  Guard  who 
$id  duty  at  the  prison?  we  commenced  working  a  hole  in  the  wall, 


8o  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

in  a  direction  in  which  we  heard  a  cobbler  hammering  his  leather. 
In  ten  days,  and  as  many  nights,  we  penetrated  six  feet  in  depth 
and  seemed  to  get  nearer  the  cobbler's  hammer.  On  the  eleventh 
day,  in  the  morning,  on  drawing  out  a  brick,  I  saw  daylight  from  a 
window  which  looked  into  the  street,  and  gave  light  to  a  place 
where  the  gaoler  kept  some  rabbits. 

This  discovery  inspired  us  with  fresh  courage,  and  the  evening 
visit  being  concluded,  we  took  from  the  hole  all  the  loosened  bricks, 
of  which  there  were  two  courses,  and  placed  them  behind  the 
dungeon  door,  which  opened  inwards,  so  as  to  barricade  it,  and 
then  set  to  work  with  so  much  industry,  that  daylight  surprised  us, 
when  the  hole,  six  feet  large  at  the  opening,  was  only  two  feet  at 
the  end.  The  gaoler  came  with  our  allowances,  and  finding  some 
resistance,  opened  the  wicket,  and  saw  the  high  pile  of  bricks, 
to  his  great  astonishment.  He  desired  us  to  open  the  door, 
and  on  our  refusal  the  guard  came,  then  the  commissary  of  the 
prison,  then  the  public  accuser,  then  the  municipal  officers  clothed 
with  the  tricoloured  scarves.  We  held  a  parley,  and  during  this 
time  one  of  us  continued  working  at  the  hole,  which  the  dark- 
ness did  not  disclose.  We  might  perhaps  escape  before  the  door 
was  forced,  when  an  unexpected  event  deprived  us  of  our  last  hope. 

The  gaoler's  wife,  in  going  to  feed  the  rabbits,  had  observed 
rubbish  scattered  on  the  floor.  In  a  prison,  nothing  is  indifferent, 
and  she  carefully  examined  the  wall,  and  although  the  bricks  had 
t>een  so  replaced  as  to  conceal  the  hole,  she  yet  saw  that  they  had 
been  separated ;  and  on  calling  for  the  guard,  with  a  blow  from 
the  butt  end  of  a  musket,  our  bricks  were  knocked  out  and  we 
were  discovered.  On  both  sides  they  called  to  us  to  clear  the 
doorway,  or  they  would  fire  on  us.  Entrenched  behind  the 
materials,  we  answered  that  the  first  who  entered  should  be 
knocked  on  the  head  with  bricks  and  irons.  So  much  determina- 
tion alarmed  the  authorities,  and  they  left  us  for  a  few  hours  to 
calm  ourselves.  At  noon,  a  municipal  officer  appeared  at  the 
wicket,  which,  as  well  as  the  hole,  had  been  sedulously  guarded, 
and  offered  us  an  amnesty,  which  we  accepted  :  but  scarcely  had 
we  removed  our  chevaux-de-frise,  when  they  attacked  us  with  the 
butt-end  of  muskets,  flat  sides  of  sabres,  and  bunches  of  keys:  even 
the  gaoler's  mastiff  joined  the  party  ;  he  jumped  at  me  and  bit  me 
most  severely  all  over.  They  then  led  us  into  the  courtyard,  where 
a  body  of  fifteen  men  held  us,  lying  on  our  faces,  whilst  they 
riveted  our  fetters.  This  job  done,  they  cast  me  into  a  dungeon 
yet  more  horrible  than  that  I  had  left,  and  it  was  not  till  the  next 
day  that  the  surgeon  Dutilleul  (now  keeper  at  the  hospital  of  St. 
Maude)  came  to  <3kess  the  bites  and  bruises  which  covered  me. 


CONDEMNED.  Sr 

I  had  scarcely  recovered  from  this  when  the  day  of  trial  came, 
which  my  repeated  escapes,  and  those  of  Grouard,  who  fled  just 
as  I  was  retaken,  had  deferred  for  eight  months.  The  trial  began, 
and  I  saw  that  I  was  lost ;  my  companions  accused  me  with  an 
animosity,  explained  by  my  retarded  confessions,  which  were  use- 
less to  myself,  and  had  not  at  all  injured  them.  Boitel  declared 
that  I  had  asked  him  how  much  he  would  give  to  get  out  of 
prison.  Herbaux  confessed  that  he  had  forged  the  order,  but  not 
added  the  signatures,  and  said  besides  that  I  had  persuaded  him 
to  forge  it,  and  then  taken  it  from  him  without  his  thinking  it  of 
the  least  importance.  The  jury  thought  that  nothing  indicated 
that  I  had  materially  aided  the  crime  ;  all  the  charge  against  me 
was  confined  to  allegations,  without  proof,  that  I  had  furnished  the 
seal.  However,  Boitel,  who  remembered  having  begged  for  the 
forged  order  ;  Stofflet,  who  had  brought  it  to  the  gaoler ;  Grouard, 
who  had  at  least  assisted  at  the  whole  operation,  were  acquitted  ; 
whilst  Herbaux  and  I  were  condemned  to  eight  years'  imprison- 
ment. This  was  the  termination  of  the  sentence,  although  many 
false  reports  were  circulated  through  the  malevolence  and  stupidity 
of  enemies.  Some  say  that  I  was  sentenced  to  death  for  numerous 
murders  ;  others  state  that  I  had  long  been  chief  of  a  band  which 
robbed  the  diligences ;  the  most  moderate  state  that  I  was  con- 
demned to  perpetual  labour  at  the  galleys  for  robbery  and  house- 
breaking  ;  and  it  has  been  asserted  that  I  (at  a  later  period)  incited 
wretches  to  crime  that  I  might  show  my  vigilance  in  pouncing  upon 
them ;  as  if  there  were  not  a  sufficient  number  of  the  really  guilty. 
Certainly  false  comrades,  as  are  everywhere  to  be  found,  even 
among  robbers,  sometimes  instructed  me  in  the  plans  of  their 
accomplices  ;  certainly,  to  confirm  the  intent  whilst  we  prevented 
the  crime,  it  was  sometimes  necessary  to  allow  of  a  partial  com- 
mission of  the  deed,  for  experienced  rogues  are  never  caught  but 
in  the  very  act  :  and  I  ask,  Is  there  anything  in  this  which  has  the 
appearance  of  an  inducement  to  do  ill  ?  This  imputation  emanated 
from  the  police,  amongst  whom  I  have  some  enemies ;  but  the 
imputation  fails  before  the  publicity  of  judicial  facts,  which  would 
not  have  failed  in  revealing  the  infamies  with  which  I  am  charged  ; 
and  it  also  fails  before  the  operations  of  the  brigade  of  safety,  which 
I  directed.  It  is  not  when  proof  is  given  that  we  have  recourse  to 
deception,  and  the  confidence  of  the  clever  men  who  have  pre- 
ceded M.  Delavau,  in  the  office  of  chief  magistrate,  will  acquit  me 
of  such  wretched  expedients.  '  He  is  a  lucky  fellow,'  said,  one 
day,  the  police  officers  who  had  failed  in  an  enterprise  in  which  I 
succeeded,  to  M.  Angles.  *  Well,'  said  he,  turning  his  back  on 
them,  '  do  you  be  lucky  fellows,  too.' 

6 


82  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

Parricide  is  the  only  crime  of  which  I  have  not  been  charged, 
and  yet  I  declare  that  I  never  was  sentenced  to,  nor  underwent, 
but  the  sentence  which  I  have  just  mentioned.  My  pardon  will 
prove  this ;  and  when  I  assert  that  I  never  aided  in  this  miserable 
forgery,  I  should  be  believed,  for  it  was  at  last  but  a  prison  joke, 
which,  if  proved,  would  at  present  only  subject  the  offender  to  a 
sentence  of  corporeal  punishment.  But  it  was  not  the  suspected 
accomplice  in  a  foolish  forgery  that  was  to  be  punished ;  it  was 
the  disorderly,  rebellious,  and  impudent  prisoner,  the  chief  of  so 
many  plans  of  escape,  of  whom  an  example  must  be  made,  and 
I  was  sacrificed. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Departure  from  Douai — Revolt  of  prisoners  in  the  forest  of  Compiegne — The 
Bicetre — The  madhouse. 

WORN  out  by  the  bad  treatment  of  every  species  which  I  ex- 
perienced in  the  prison  of  Douai,  tormented  by  a  watchfulness 
redoubled  after  my  sentence,  I  took  care  not  to  make  an  appeal, 
which  would  keep  me  there  some  months.  What  confirmed  me  in 
my  resolution  was,  the  information  that  the  prisoners  were  to  be 
sent  forthwith  to  the  Bicetre,  and  there,  making  one  chain,  to  be 
sent  on  to  the  Bagne  at  Brest.  It  is  unnecessary  to  say,  that  I 
relied  on  escaping  on  our  route.  As  to  the  appeal,  I  was  told  that 
I  could  present  a  petition  for  pardon  from  the  Bagne,  which  would 
have  the  same  effect.  We  remained,  however,  some  months  at 
Douai,  which  made  me  regret  bitterly  that  I  had  not  made  my 
petition  for  annulling  the  sentence. 

At  length  the  order  of  removal  arrived,  and,  what  would  scarcely 
be  credited  from  men  doomed  to  the  galleys,  it  was  hailed  with 
enthusiasm — so  much  were  we  tired  of  the  torments  of  Marin,  the 
gaoler.  Our  new  situation  was  not,  however,  much  more  satis- 
factory; the  officer,  Hurtrel,  who  accompanied  us,  I  know  not  why, 
had  ordered  irons  of  a  new  construction,  which  fastened  to  each  of 
our  legs  a  ball  of  fifteen  pounds  weight,  whilst  we  were  secured  two 
and  two  by  a  massive  wrist-cuff  of  iron.  Besides,  the  vigilance 
was  extreme,  and  it  was  impossible  to  think  of  dcing  anything  by 
address.  An  attack  by  main  force  could  alone  save  us,  and  I  pro- 
posed it  to  fourteen  of  my  companions,  who  agreed  on  it,  and  it 
was  settled  that  the  project  should  be  put  in  execution  on  our  way 
through  the  Forest  of  Compiegne.  Desfosseux  was  of  the  party, 
and  by  means  of  fine  saws  which  he  had  always  securely  secreted 
about  him,  our  fetters  were  cut  in  three  days ;  the  plaster  of  a  par- 


THE  i.EVOLT.  83 

ticular  sort  of  gum  prevented  our  keepers  from  perceiving  the  trace 
of  the  instruments. 

On  reaching  the  forest  and  gaining  the  appointed  spot,  the  signal 
was  given,  the  fetters  fell  from  us,  and  we  leaped  from  the  carriages 
which  enclosed  us  to  try  and  gain  the  thicket ;  but  the  five  gen- 
darmes and  the  eight  dragoons  who  escorted  us  charged  sword  in 
hand.  We  entrenched  ourselves  behind  the  trees,  armed  with  the 
stones  which  are  piled  up  to  mend  the  roads,  and  with  some 
weapons  we  had  got  hold  of  at  the  first  moment  of  confusion. 
The  soldiers  hesitated  for  an  instant,  but,  well  armed  and  well 
mounted,  they  soon  made  up  their  minds,  and  at  the  first  charge 
two  of  our  party  fell  dead,  five  more  terribly  wounded,  and  the 
others  falling  on  their  knees  cried  for  mercy.  Surrender  was  now 
imperative  ;  and  Desfosseux,  myself,  and  some  others  who  had 
escaped,  got  into  the  carriage,  when  Hurtrel,  who  had  kept  at  a 
very  respectful  distance  from  the  affray,  came  up  to  a  poor  wretch, 
who  certainly  did  not  hurry  himself  very  much,  and  thrust  his  sabre 
through  him.  Such  baseness  enraged  us ;  the  prisoners  who  had 
not  yet  ascended  the  carriages  took  up  stones,  and  but  for  the  aid 
of  the  dragoons,  Hurtrel  would  have  been  knocked  on  the  head. 
The  soldiers  bid  us  desist  before  we  brought  down  destruction  on 
ourselves  :  and  the  thing  was  so  evident,  that  we  were  compelled 
to  lay  down  our  arms — that  is,  the  stones.  This  circumstance,  how- 
ever, put  a  termination  to  the  annoyances  of  Hurtrel,  who  never 
approached  us  but  with  fear  and  trembling. 

At  Senlis  we  were  placed  in  the  temporary  prison,  one  of  the 
most  horrible  I  ever  tenanted.  The  gaoler  exercising  the  office  of 
street-keeper,  the  prison  was  guarded  by  his  wife :  and  what  a 
creature  was  she  !  As  we  had  made  ourselves  notorious,  she  thrust 
us  into  the  most  secret  dungeons,  convincing  herself  by  previous 
personal  examination  that  we  had  nothing  about  us  that  could  aid 
escape.  We  were,  however,  trying  the  walls,  when  we  heard  her 
roar  out,  '  Rascals,  I  am  coming  to  you  with  my  bastinado  ;  I  will 
teach  you  how  to  play  music.'  We  took  her  at  her  word,  and  all 
desisted.  The  next  day  we  reached  Paris,  and  were  lodged  in  the 
outer  boulevards,  and  at  four  in  the  afternoon  we  got  in  sight  of 
Bicetre. 

On  reaching  the  end  of  the  avenue  which  looks  on  the  road  to 
Fontainebleau,  the  carriages  turned  to  the  right,  and  entered  an 
iron  gate,  above  which  I  read  mechanically  this  inscription — 
'  Hospice  de  la  Vieillesse  '  (Hospital  for  the  aged).  In  the  fore- 
court many  old  men  were  walking,  clothed  in  grey  garments.  They 
were  paupers ;  and  stared  at  us  with  that  stupid  curiosity  which 
results  from  a  monotonous  and  purely  animal  existence ;  for  it 

6 — 2 


84  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

often  happens  that  a  person  admitted  into  a  hospital,  having  no 
longer  his  own  subsistence  to  provide  for,  renounces  the  exercise 
of  his  narrow  faculties,  and  ends  by  falling  into  a  state  of  perfect 
idiotcy.  On  reaching  the  second  court,  in  which  was  the  chapel,  I 
remarked  that  the  majority  of  my  companions  hid  their  faces  with 
their  hands  or  pocket-handkerchiefs.  It  may  be  supposed  that 
they  experienced  some  feeling  of  shame.  No;  they  were  only 
thinking  of  allowing  their  faces  to  be  seen  as  little  as  possible,  so 
that  if  opportunity  presented  they  might  the  more  easily  escape. 

'  Here  we  are/  said  Desfosseux  to  me  :  '  you  see  that  square 
building — that  is  the  prison.'  We  alighted  at  an  iron  door,  guarded 
inside  by  a  sentry.  Having  entered  the  office,  we  were  only 
registered,  our  description  being  deferred  until  the  next  day.  I  per- 
ceived, however,  that  the  gaoler  looked  at  us,  Desfosseux  and  me, 
with  a  sort  of  curiosity,  and  I  thence  concluded  that  we  had  been 
recommended  by  the  officer  Hurtrel,  who  had  preceded  us  a  quarter 
of  an  hour  from  the  time  of  the  business  of  the  Forest  of  Com- 
piegne.  Having  opened  many  low  doors,  guarded  with  iron  plates, 
and  the  Bird-cage  Wicket,  we  were  introduced  to  a  large  square 
yard,  where  about  sixty  prisoners  were  playing  at  fives,  and  shout- 
ing so  loudly  as  to  sound  all  over  the  place.  At  our  appearance 
their  game  ceased,  and  surrounding  us,  they  examined  with  much 
surprise  the  irons  which  loaded  us.  It  was,  besides,  to  enter  Bicetre 
in  the  most  favourable  manner  to  be  decked  with  such  caparisons, 
for  they  estimated  the  deserts  of  the  prisoner,  that  is  to  say,  his 
boldness  and  talent  for  escape,  by  the  precautions  taken  to  secure 
him.  Desfosseux,  who  found  himself  amongst  friends,  had  no 
difficulty  in  introducing  us  as  the  most  distinguished  personages  of 
the  north  ;  he  did  more,  he  particularly  expatiated  on  my  merits, 
and  I  was  accordingly  surrounded  and  made  much  of  by  all  the 
worthies  of  the  prison  :  Beaumont,  Guillaume,  Mauger,  Jossat, 
Maltaise,  Corun,  Blondy,  Troaflat,  and  Richard,  one  of  the  parties 
concerned  in  the  murder  of  a  Lyons  courier,  never  left  me.  As 
soon  as  my  fetters  were  taken  off,  they  took  me  to  a  drinking  shop, 
where  for  two  hours  I  did  justice  to  a  thousand  invitations,  when 
a  tall  man  with  a  police-officer's  cap,  who  they  told  me  was  the 
room  inspector,  took  us  to  a  large  place  called  Le  Fort  Mahon, 
when  we  were  clothed  in  the  prison  garb,  consisting  of  a  frock  half 
grey  and  half  black.  The  inspector  told  me  I  should  be  briga- 
dier, that  is,  that  I  should  preside  at  the  giving  out  of  the  pro- 
visions amongst  my  table-companions,  and  I  had,  in  consequence, 
a  good  bed,  whilst  others  slept  on  camp  couches.  In  four  days  I 
was  known  to  all  the  prisoners ;  but  although  they  had  the  highest 
opinion  of  my  courage,  Beaumont,  wishing  to  try  me,  picked  a 


THE  BICETRE.  85 

quarrel  with  me ;  we  fought,  and  as  he  was  an  expert  boxer,  I  was 
completely  conquered.  I,  however,  had  my  revenge  in  a  room, 
where  Beaumont,  unable  to  display  the  resources  of  his  art,  had 
the  worst  of  it.  My  first  defeat,  however,  gave  me  a  desire  to  be 
instructed  in  the  mysteries  of  this  art,  and  the  celebrated  Jean 
Goupel,  the  Saint  George  of  boxing,  who  was  at  the  Bicetre  with 
us,  soon  counted  me  amongst  those  of  his  pupils  who  were  destined 
to  do  him  the  most  honour. 

The  prison  of  the  Bicetre  is  a  neat  quadrangular  building, 
enclosing  many  other  structures  and  many  courts,  which  have  each 
a  different  name ;  there  is  the  grand  cour  (great  court)  where  the 
prisoners  walk  ;  the  cour  de  cuisine  (or  kitchen  court) ;  the  cour 
des  chiens  (or  dogs'  court) ;  the  cour  de  correction  (or  court  of 
punishment)  ;  and  the  cour  des  fers  (or  iron  court).  In  this  last  is  a 
new  building  five  stories  high ;  each  story  contains  forty  cells,  capable 
of  holding  four  prisoners.  On  the  platform,  which  supplies  the 
place  of  a  roof,  was  night  and  day  a  dog  named  Dragon,  who 
passed  in  the  prison  for  the  most  watchful  and  incorruptible  of  its 
kind ;  but  some  prisoners  managed  at  a  subsequent  period  to 
corrupt  him  through  the  medium  of  a  roasted  leg  of  mutton, 
which  he  had  the  culpable  weakness  to  accept ;  so  true  is  it,  that 
there  are  no  seductions  more  potent  than  those  of  gluttony,  since 
they  operate  indifferently  on  all  organized  beings.  To  ambition, 
to  gaming,  and  to  gallantry,  there  are  bounds  fixed  by  nature ; 
but  gluttony  knows  nothing  of  age,  and  if  the  appetite  sometimes 
opposes  its  inert  power,  we  are  quits  with  it  by  a  good  fit  of  indi- 
gestion. However,  the  Amphytrions  escaped  while  Dragon  was 
swallowing  the  mutton  ;  he  was  beaten  and  taken  into  the  cour  des 
chiens,  where,  chained  up  and  deprived  of  the  free  air  which  he 
had  breathed  on  the  platform,  he  was  inconsolable  for  his  fault, 
and  perished  piecemeal,  a  victim  of  remorse  at  his  weakness  in 
yielding  to  a  moment  of  gluttony  and  error. 

Near  the  erection  I  speak  of  is  the  old  building,  nearly  arranged 
in  the  same  way,  and  under  which  were  dungeons  of  safety,  in 
which  were  enclosed  the  troublesome  and  condemned  prisoners. 
It  was  in  one  of  these  dungeons  that  for  forty-three  years  lived 
the  accomplice  of  Cartouche,  who  betrayed  him  to  procure  com- 
mutation !  To  obtain  a  moment's  sunshine,  he  frequently  counter- 
feited death  so  well  that,  when  he  had  actually  breathed  his  last 
sigh,  two  days  passed  before  they  took  off  his  iron  collar.  A  third 
part  of  the  building,  called  La  Force,  comprised  various  rooms,  in 
which  the  prisoners  were  placed  who  arrived  from  the  provinces, 
and  were  destined,  like  ourselves,  to  the  chain. 

At  this  period,  the  prison  of  Bicetre,  which  is  only  strong  from 


86  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ, 

the  strict  guard  kept  up  there,  could  contain  twelve  hundred 
prisoners ;  but  they  were  piled  on  each  other,  and  the  conduct  of 
the  gaolers  in  no  way  assuaged  the  inconvenience  of  the  place  :  a 
sullen  air,  a  rough  tone,  and  brutal  manners,  were  exercised 
towards  the  prisoners,  and  they  were  in  no  way  to  be  softened, 
but  through  the  medium  of  a  bottle  of  wine,  or  a  pecuniary  bribe. 
Besides,  they  never  attempted  to  repress  any  excess  or  any  crime, 
and  provided  that  no  one  sought  to  escape,  they  might  do  what- 
ever they  pleased  in  the  prison,  without  being  restrained  or  pre- 
vented; whilst  men  condemned  for  those  attempts  which  modesty 
shrinks  from  naming,  openly  practised  their  detestable  libertinism, 
and  robbers  exercised  their  industry  inside  the  prison,  without 
any  person  attempting  to  check  the  crime  or  prevent  the 
bestiality. 

If  any  man  arrived  from  the  country  well  clad,  who,  condemned 
for  a  first  offence,  was  not  as  yet  initiated  into  the  customs  and 
usages  of  prisons,  in  a  twinkling  he  was  stripped  of  his  clothes, 
which  were  sold  in  his  presence  to  the  highest  bidder.  If  he  had 
jewels  or  money,  they  were  alike  confiscated  to  the  profit  of  the 
society;  if  he  were  too  long  in  taking  out  his  ear-rings  they  snatched 
them  out  without  the  sufferer  daring  to  complain.  He  was  pre- 
viously warned,  that  if  he  spoke  of  it,  they  would  hang  him  in  the 
night  to  the  bars  of  his  cell,  and  afterwards  say  that  he  had  com- 
mitted suicide.  If  a  prisoner,  out  of  precaution,  when  going  to 
sleep,  placed  his  clothes  under  his  head,  they  waited  until  he  was 
in  his  first  sleep,  and  then  they  tied  to  his  foot  a  stone,  which  they 
balanced  at  the  side  of  his  bed ;  at  the  least  motion  the  stone  fell, 
and,  aroused  by  the  noise,  the  sleeper  jumped  up,  and  before  he 
could  discover  what  had  occurred,  his  packet,  hoisted  by  a  cord, 
went  through  the  iron  bars  to  the  floor  above.  I  have  seen,  in 
the  depth  of  winter,  these  poor  devils,  having  been  deprived  of 
their  property  in  this  way,  remain  in  the  court  in  their  shirts  until 
some  one  threw  them  some  rags  to  cover  their  nakedness.  As 
long  as  they  remained  at  Bicetre,  by  burying  themselves,  as  we 
may  say,  in  their  straw,  they  co-Jd  defy  the  rigour  of  the  weather; 
but  at  the  departure  of  the  chain,  when  they  had  no  other  cover- 
ing than  the  frock  and  trousers  made  of  packing-cloth,  they  often 
sank  exhausted  and  frozen  before  they  reached  the  first  resting- 
place. 

It  is  necessary,  by  facts  of  this,  nature,  to  explain  the  rapid  de- 
pravity of  men  whom  it  was  easy  to  excite  to  honest  feelings  :  but 
who,  unable  to  escape  the  height  of  misery  but  by  excess  of 
wickedness,  sought  an  alleviation  of  their  lot  in  the  real  or  appar- 
ent exaggeration  of  all  species  of  crime.  In  society,  we  dread 


1 LETTERS  OF  JERUSALEM!  87 

infamy ;  in  the  society  of  prisoners,  there  is  no  shame  but  in  not 
being  sufficiently  infamous.  The  condemned  prisoners  are  a  dis- 
tinct people  ;  whoever  is  cast  amongst  them  must  expect  to  be 
treated  as  an  enemy  as  long  as  he  will  not  speak  their  language, 
and  will  not  identify  himself  with  their  way  of  thinking. 

The  abuses  I  have  mentioned  are  not  the  only  ones ;  there  are 
ofhers  even  more  terrible.  If  a  prisoner  were  marked  out  as  a 
false  brother  or  as  a  sneak,  he  was  pitilessly  knocked  on  the  head, 
without  any  gaoler  interfering  to  prevent  it.  Matters  came  to 
such  a  pitch,  that  it  was  necessary  to  assign  a  particular  division 
to  those  individuals,  who,  giving  an  account  of  their  own  doings, 
had  made  any  mention  of  their  comrades  which  they  thought 
could  in  any  way  compromise  them.  On  the  other  hand  the  im- 
pudence of  the  robbers,  and  the  immoralities  of  their  keepers, 
were  carried  to  such  an  extent,  that  they  prepared  openly  in  the 
prison  tricks  of  swindling  and  theft,  which  were  to  be  perpetrated 
on  quitting  the  walls  of  the  prison.  I  will  mention  only  one  of 
these  plans,  which  will  suffice  to  evince  the  measure  of  credulity 
of  the  dupes  and  the  audacity  of  the  plotters.  These  latter  ob- 
tained the  address  of  certain  rich  persons  living  in  the  province, 
which  was  easy  from  the  number  of  prisoners  who  were  constantly 
arriving.  They  then  wrote  letters  to  them,  called,  in  the  slang 
language,  *  letters  of  Jerusalem,'  and  which  contained  in  substance 
what  follows.  It  is  useless  to  observe  that  the  names  of  places 
and  persons  change  according  to  circumstances. 

'Sir, — You  will  doubtlessly  be  astonished  at  receiving  a  letter 
from  a  person  unknown  to  you,  who  is  about  to  ask  a  favour  from 
you ;  but  from  the  sad  condition  in  which  I  am  placed,  I  am  lost 
if  some  honourable  person  will  not  lend  me  succour :  that  is  the 
reason  of  my  addressing  you,  of  whom  I  have  heard  so  much  that 
I  cannot  for  a  moment  hesitate  to  confide  all  my  affairs  to  your 

kindness.  As  valet-de-chambre  to  the  Marquis  de I  emigrated 

with  my  master,  and  that  we  might  avoid  suspicion  we  travelled 
on  foot  and  I  carried  the  luggage,  consisting  of  a  casket  contain- 
ing 16,000  francs  in  gold  and  the  diamonds  of  the  late  mar- 
chioness. We  were  on  the  point  of  joining  the  army  at ,  when 

we  were  marked  out  and  pursued  by  a  detachment  of  volunteers. 
The  marquis,  seeing  how  closely  we  were  pressed,  desired  me  to 
throw  the  casket  into  a  deep  ditch  near  us,  so  that  it  might  not 
implicate  us  in  case  we  were  apprehended  I  relied  on  recovering 
it  the  following  night ;  but  the  country  people,  aroused  by  trie 
tocsin  which  the  commandant  of  the  detachment  ofdered  to  be 
rung,  began  to -beat  the  wood  in  which  we  were  concealed  with 
so  much  vigour,  that  it  was  necessary  to  think  only  of  escape. 


88  MEMOIRS  OF  V1DOCQ. 

On  reaching  a  foreign  province,  the  marquis  received  some  ad- 
vances from  the  Prince  of ;  but  these  resources  soon  failing, 

he  resolved  on  sending  me  back  for  the  casket  thrown  into  the 
ditch.  I  was  the  more  certain  of  finding  it,  as  on  the  day  after  I 
had  thrown  it  from  me,  we  had  made  a  written  memorandum  of 
the  localities,  in  case  we  should  be  for  any  length  of  time  without 
being  able  to  return  for  it.  I  set  out,  and  entering  France,  reached 

the  village  of without  accident,  near  the  spot  where  we  had 

been  pursued.  You  must  know  the  village  perfectly,  as  it  is  not 
three-quarters  of  a  league  from  your  residence.  I  prepared  to 
fulfil  my  mission,  when  the  landlord  of  the  auberge  where  I  had 
lodged,  a  bitter  Jacobin  and  collector  of  national  property,  re- 
marking my  embarrassment  when  he  proposed  to  drink  to  the 
health  of  the  republic,  had  me  apprehended  as  a  suspected  person  : 
and  as  I  had  no  passport,  and  unfortunately  resembled  an  indi- 
vidual pursued  for  stopping  the  diligences,  I  was  taken  from  prison 
to  prison  to  be  confronted  with  my  pretended  accomplices,  until 
on  reaching  Bicetre  I  was  obliged  to  go  to  the  infirmary,  where  I 
have  been  for  two  months. 

'  In  this  cruel  situation,  having  heard  mention  of  you  by  a  rela- 
tion of  my  master's  who  had  property  in  your  district,  I  beg  to 
know  if  I  cannot,  through  your  aid,  obtain  the  casket  in  question, 
and  get  a  portion  of  the  money  which  it  contains.  I  could  then 
supply  my  immediate  necessities  and  pay  my  counsel,  who  dictates 
this,  and  assures  me  that  by  some  presents  I  could  extricate  my- 
self from  this  affair. 

'Receive,  sir,  etc. 

(Signed)  '  N .' 

Out  of  one  hundred  such  letters,  twenty  were  always  answered : 
and  astonishment  will  cease  when  we  consider  that  they  were  only 
addressed  to  men  known  by  their  attachment  to  the  old  order  of 
things,  and  that  nothing  reasons  less  than  the  spirit  of  party.  It 
testified  besides,  to  the  person  addressed,  that  unlimited  confidence 
which  never  fails  to  produce  its  effect  on  self-love  or  interest. 
The  person  answered  that  he  would  agree  to  undertake  to  get  the 
casket  from  its  place  of  concealment.  Another  letter  from  the 
pretended  valet-de-chambre,  stating,  that  being  entirely  stripped, 
he  had  agreed  with  the  keeper  of  the  infirmary  for  a  very  small 
sum  to  sell  the  trunk,  in  which  was,  in  the  false  bottom,  the  plan 
already  alluded  to.  Then  the  money  arrived,  and  they  received  sums 
sometimes  amounting  to  twelve  or  fifteen  hundred  francs.  Some 
individuals,  thinking  to  give  a  profound  proof  of  sagacity,  came  even 
from  the  remotest  parts  of  their  province  to  Bicetre,  where  they 


A  PLAN  OF  ESCAPE.  89 

received  the  destined  plan  which  was  to  conduct  them  to  this  mys- 
terious forest,  which,  like  the  fantastic  forests  of  the  romances  of 
chivalry,  fled  eternally  before  them.  The  Parisians  themselves 
sometimes  fell  into  the  snare ;  and  some  persons  may  still  remem- 
ber the  adventure  of  the  clothseller  of  the  Rue  des  Prouvaires, 
who  was  caught  undermining  an  arch  of  the  Pont  Neuf,  where  he 
expected  to  find  the  diamonds  of  the  Duchess  de  Bouillon. 

We  may  imagine  that  such  manoeuvres  could  not  be  effected  but 
by  the  consent  and  with  the  participation  of  the  keepers,  since 
they  received  the  correspondence  of  the  treasure-seekers.  But  the 
gaoler  thought  that,  independently  of  the  direct  benefit  he  thence 
drew  from  it,  by  the  increase  of  the  money  spent  by  the  prisoners 
in  viands  and  spirits,  they  being  thus  occupied  would  not  think  of 
escaping.  On  the  same  principle  he  tolerated  the  making  varieties 
of  things  in  straw,  wood,  and  bone,  and  even  false  pieces  of  two 
sous,  with  which  Paris  was  at  one  time  inundated.  There  were 
also  other  crafts  exercised  ;  but  these  were  done  clandestinely : 
they  made  privately  false  passports  with  the  pen,  so  well  done  as 
to  pass  currently ;  saws  for  cutting  iron,  and  false  hair,  which  were 
of  great  service  in  escaping  from  the  Bagne — the  galley-slaves 
being  particularly  recognisable  by  their  shorn  heads.  These 
various  articles  were  concealed  in  tin  cases,  which  could  be  hid  in 
the  intestines. 

As  for  me,  always  occupied  with  the  idea  of  escaping  from  the 
Bagne  and  reaching  a  seaport  from  whence  I  could  embark,  I  was 
night  and  day  plotting  the  means  of  getting  away  from  Bicetre.  I 
at  length  imagined  that  by  breaking  through  the  quadrangle  of 
Fort-Mahon  and  reaching  the  water-courses  made  under  it,  we 
might,  by  means  of  a  short  mine,  get  into  the  court  of  the  idiots  I 
have  before  alluded  to,  whence  there  would  be  no  difficulty  in 
reaching  the  outside.  This  project  was  executed  in  ten  days  and 
as  many  nights.  During  the  whole  time  the  prisoners,  of  whom 
we  had  any  distrust,  were  always  accompanied  by  a  trusty  man  ; 
but  we  were  obliged  to  wait  until  the  moon  should  be  on  the 
wane.  At  length,  on  the  3rd  of  October,  1797,  at  two  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  we  descended  the  watercourse,  thirty-three  in 
number,  provided  with  dark  lanterns,  and  we  soon  opened  the 
subterranean  passage  and  reached  the  court  of  the  idiots.  We 
wanted  a  ladder,  or  something  instead  of  it,  to  climb  the  walls  ; 
and  at  last  got  hold  of  a  long  pole,  and  we  were  going  to  draw  lots 
to  decide  who  should  first  climb  up,  when  a  noise  of  chains  sud- 
denly broke  the  silence  of  night. 

A  dog  came  out  from  a  kennel  placed  in  an  angle  of  the  court ; 
we  stood  motionless  and  held  our  breath,  for  it  was  an  important 


90  MEMOIRS  OF  V1DOCQ. 

moment.  After  having  stretched  himself  out  and  yawned,  as  if  he 
had  only  wanted  to  change  place,  the  animal  put  one  foot  into  his 
kennel  as  if  about  to  return,  and  we  then  thought  ourselves  saved. 
Suddenly  he  turned  his  head  to  the  place  in  which  we  were  huddled 
together,  and  fixed  on  us  two  eyes  which  looked  like  burning  coals. 
A  low  growling  was  then  followed  with  barkings  which  sounded  all 
over  the  place.  Desfosseux  wished  to  try  and  cut  his  throat,  but 
he  was  of  a  size  to  render  the  issue  of  a  contest  doubtful.  It  ap- 
peared best  to  us  to  lie  down  in  a  large  open  space,  which  served 
as  a  walking  ground  for  the  idiots ;  but  the  dog  still  kept  up  the 
concert,  and,  his  colleagues  having  joined  him,  the  din  became  so 
excessive  that  the  Inspector  Giroux,  fancying  something  particular 
was  passing  amongst  his  lodgers,  and  knowing  his  customers,  began 
his  round  by  Fort-Mahon,  and  almost  fell  backwards  at  finding  no 
one.  At  his  cries  the  gaoler,  turnkeys,  and  guard,  all  assembled. 
They  soon  discovered  the  road  we  had  taken,  and  taking  the  same 
to  get  into  the  court  of  the  idiots,  they  loosened  the  dog,  who  ran 
straight  at  us.  The  guards  then  entered  the  place  where  we  were 
with  fixed  bayonets,  as  if  about  to  carry  a  redoubt.  They  put 
handcuffs  on  us,  the  usual  prelude  of  any  important  matter  to  be 
done  in  a  prison ;  and  we  then  returned,  not  to  Fort-Mahon, 
but  to  the  Dungeon,  without,  however,  experiencing  any  bad 
treatment. 

This  attempt,  the  boldest  of  which  the  prison  had  for  a  long 
time  been  the  theatre,  threw  the  keepers  into  so  much  confusion, 
that  it  was  two  days  before  they  perceived  that  one  of  the  prisoners 
of  Fort-Mahon  was  missing  :  it  was  Desfosseux.  Knowing  all  his 
address,  I  thought  him  at  a  distance,  when,  on  the  morning  of  the 
third  day,  I  saw  him  enter  my  dungeon,  pale,  exhausted,  and 
bleeding.  When  the  door  was  closed  on  him  he  told  me  all  his 
adventure. 

At  the  moment  when  the  guard  had  seized  us,  he  had  squatted 
down  in  a  sort  of  tub,  probably  used  for  baths,  and  hearing  no 
noise,  he  had  left  his  retreat  :  and  the  pole  had  aided  him  in 
climbing  several  walls  :  but  yet  he  always  got  back  to  the  idiots' 
court.  Day  was  just  breaking,  and  he  heard  footsteps  going  and 
coming  in  the  buildings,  for  they  are  nowhere  earlier  than  in  hos- 
pitals. It  was  necessary  to  avoid  the  gaze  of  the  turnkey,  who 
would  soon  be  in  the  courts  :  the  wicket  of  a  room  was  half  open 
— he  glided  in,  and  was  about,  with  much  precaution,  to  roll  him- 
<elf  in  a  large  heap  of  straw  ;  but  what  was  his  astonishment  to  see 
it  occupied  by  a  man  naked,  his  hair  dishevelled,  beard  long,  and 
cjye  haggard  and  bloodshot.  The  madman,  for  such  he  was,  looked 
...  Desfosseux  with  a  fierce  air,  then  made  him  a  quick  sign  :  and 


A  TERRIBLE  COMPANION.  91 

as  he  stood  still,  darted  at  him  as  if  to  attack  him.  A.  few  caresses 
seemed  to  appease  him  :  he  took  Desfosseux  by  the  hand  and 
made  him  sit  down  beside  him,  heaping  all  the  straw  round  him  in 
the  manner  and  with  the  gestures  of  a  monkey.  At  eight  o'clock 
a  morsel  of  black  bread  fell  in  at  the  door,  which  he  took  up, 
looked  at,  threw  into  a  heap  of  dirt,  and  then  picked  it  up  and  began 
to  eat.  During  the  day  more  bread  was  brought ;  but  as  the  mad- 
man was  asleep,  Desfosseux  seized  and  devoured  it,  at  the  risk  of 
being  himself  devoured  by  his  terrible  companion,  who  might  have 
been  enraged  at  the  abstraction  of  his  pittance.  At  twilight  the 
madman  awoke,  and  talked  for  some  time  with  inconceivable  volu- 
bility ;  night  came  on  and  his  excitement  sensibly  increased,  and 
he  began  to  leap  about  and  make  hideous  contortions,  shaking  his 
chains  with  a  kind  of  pleasure. 

In  this  appalling  situation  Desfosseux  waited  with  impatience 
until  the  madman  fell  asleep,  to  go  out  at  the  wicket.  About 
midnight,  hearing  him  move  no  longer,  he  advanced  first  one  leg 
and  then  the  other,  when  he  was  seized  by  the  madman  with  a 
powerful  grasp,  who  threw  him  on  the  straw  and  placed  himself 
before  the  wicket,  where  he  remained  till  daylight  motion'ess  as  a 
statue.  The  next  night  another  attempt,  and  another  obstacle. 
Desfosseux,  who  grew  distracted,  employed  his  strength,  and  a  tre- 
mendous struggle  ensued  :  Desfosseux.  being  struck  by  his  chains, 
and  covered  with  bites  and  blows,  was  compelled  to  call  for  the 
keepers.  They,  mistaking  him  at  first  for  one  of  the  madmen  who 
had  got  loose,  were  also  about  to  put  him  in  a  cell;  but  he  managed 
to  make  himself  known,  and  at  length  obtained  the  favour  of  being 
brought  back  to  us. 

We  remained  eight  days  in  the  dungeon,  after  which  I  was  put 
in  the  Chausse'e,  where  I  found  a  party  of  prisoners  who  had  re- 
ceived me  so  well  on  my  arrival.  They  were  making  good  cheer 
and  denied  themselves  nothing ;  for,  independently  of  the  money 
procured  by  the  '  Letters  of  Jerusalem,'  they  had  got  a  supply  from 
some  females  whom  they  knew,  and  who  constantly  visited  them. 
Having  become,  as  at  Douai,  the  object  of  special  vigilance,  I  still 
sought  to  escape :  when  at  length  the  day  arrived  for  the  departure 
of  the  chain. 


92  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

Captain  Viez  and  Lieut.  Thierry — Complaint  of  the  galley-slaves — The  galley- 
sergeants  encourage  plundering — Useless  attempt  to  escape—  The  Bagne  at 
Brest — Another  escape. 

IT  was  the  2oth  of  November,  1797  :  all  the  morning  we  remarked 
a  more  than  usual  commotion  in  the  prison.  The  prisoners  had  not 
left  their  cells,  and  the  gates  were  every  moment  opened  and  shut 
with  much  noise  :  the  gaolors  went  to  and  fro  with  a  busy  air,  and 
they  were  knocking  off  irons  in  the  great  court,  of  which  the  sound 
reached  our  ears.  About  eleven  o'clock  two  men,  clothed  in  blue 
uniforms,  entered  Fort-Mahon,  where  for  eight  days  I  had  been 
replaced  with  the  companions  of  my  essay  to  escape :  it  was  the 
captain  of  the  chain  and  his  lieutenant.  'Well,'  said  the  captain, 
smiling  in  a  kind  of  familiar  way,  *  have  we  any  return  horses 
(fugitive  galley-slaves)  ?'  And  whilst  he  spoke  all  pressed  about, 
trying  who  should  testify  most  respect  to  him.  '  Good  day,  M. 
Viez  :  good  day,  M.  Thierry/  resounded  on  all  sides.  These  salu- 
tations were  even  repeated  by  the  prisoners  who  had  never  seen 
either  Viez  or  Thierry,  but  who,  assuming  an  air  of  acquaintance, 
hoped  to  get  some  favour.  It  was  no  wonder  if  Viez  was  a  little 
giddy  with  so  much  applause ;  but  as  he  was  accustomed  to  these 
homages  it  did  not  quite  turn  his  brain,  and  he  knew  very  well 
what  he  was  about.  He  perceived  Desfosseux.  '  Ah  !  ah  !'  said 
he,  *  here  is  a  darby  cutter  (one  skilled  in  cutting  off  his  chains), 
who  has  travelled  before  with  us.  I  heard  that  you  had  a  narrow 
escape  of  being  a  head  shorter  (guillotined)  at  Douai,  my  boy. 
You  escaped  well,  by  Jove ;  for  look  you,  it  is  better  to  go  back 
to  the  meadow  (Bagne)  than  let  the  executioner  play  at  pitch  and 
toss  with  your  knowledge-box  (head).  Besides,  my  lads,  let  the 
world  be  quiet,  and  we  shall  get  beef  and  celery.'  The  captain 
had  only  begun  his  inspection,  and  continued  it,  addressing  similar 
jokes  to  all  his  '  merchandise,'  for  by  that  name  he  called  the  con- 
demned prisoners. 

The  critical  moment  arrived,  and  we  went  into  the  Cours  des 
Fers,  where  the  house-surgeon  came  to  us  to  examine  if  we  were 
all  in  a  state  to  bear  the  fatigues  of  a  journey.  We  were  all  pro- 
nounced adequate,  although  some  were  in  a  most  woful  plight. 
Each  prisoner  then  puts  off  the  prison  livery  and  assumes  his  own 
clothes  ;  those  who  have  none  have  a  frock  and  trousers  of  pack- 
ing-cloth, insufficient  to  protect  them  from  the  cold  and  damp. 
Hats  and  clothes,  if  at  all  decent,  belonging  to  the  prisoners,  are 


THE  GALLEY-CHAIN.  93 

torn  in  a  particular  way,  to  prevent  escape ;  they  take,  for  instance, 
the  border  off  the  hat  and  the  collar  from  the  coat.  No  prisoner 
is  allowed  to  retain  more  than  six  francs ;  the  overplus  is  given  to 
the  captain,  who  gives  it  on  the  route  in  proportion  as  it  is  needed. 
This  precaution  is  easily  eluded  by  placing  louis  in  large  sous 
hollowed  out. 

These  preliminaries  adjusted,  we  went  into  the  great  court, 
where  were  the  guards  of  the  chain,  better  known  as  argousins,  or 
galley  sergeants,  who  were  for  the  most  part  men  of  Auvergne, 
water-carriers,  messengers,  or  coalmen,  who  carried  on  their  trade 
in  the  intervals  between  the  journeys.  In  the  midst  of  them  was 
a  large  wooden  chest,  containing  the  fetters  which  are  used  in  all 
similar  expeditions.  We  were  made  to  approach  two  and  two, 
taking  care  to  match  us  in  height,  by  means  of  a  chain  of  six  feet 
in  length,  united  to  the  cordon  of  twenty-six  prisoners,  who  could 
thus  only  move  in  a  body ;  each  was  confined  to  the  chain  by  a 
sort  of  iron  triangle,  called  the  cravat,  which,  opening  on  one  side 
by  a  turning  screw,  is  closed  on  the  other  with  a  nail  firmly 
riveted.  This  is  the  most  perilous  part  of  the  operation;  the 
most  turbulent  and  riotous  then  keep  quiet,  for  at  the  least  move- 
ment, instead  of  falling  on  the  anvil,  the  blows  would  break  their 
skull,  which  every  stroke  of  the  hammer  grazes.  Then  a  prisoner 
comes  with  long  scissors  and  cuts  off  the  hair  and  whiskers  of  the 
prisoners,  pretending  to  leave  them  irregular. 

At  five  in  the  evening,  the  fettering  was  finished ;  the  argousins 
retired,  and  the  prisoners  alone  remained.  Left  to  themselves, 
far  from  despairing,  these  men  gave  themselves  up  to  all  the  tumults 
of  riotous  gaiety.  Some  vociferated  horrible  jokes,  echoed  from 
all  sides  with  the  most  disgusting  shouts ;  others  amused  them- 
selves by  provoking  the  stupid  laughter  of  their  companions  by 
beastly  gestures.  Neither  the  ears  nor  the  modesty  were  even 
spared  :  all  that  was  heard  or  seen  was  immoral  and  discordant. 
It  is  too  true  that,  once  loaded  with  fetters,  the  condemned  thinks 
himself  obliged  to  trample  under  foot  all  that  is  honoured  and 
respected  by  the  society  which  has  cast  him  off;  there  are  for  him 
no  longer  any  restraints,  but  from  material  obstacles ;  his  charter 
is  the  length  of  his  chain,  and  he  knows  no  law  but  the  stick  to 
which  his  gaoler  accustoms  him.  Thrown  amidst  beings  to  whom 
nothing  is  .sacred,  he  takes  care  how  he  testifies  that  steady  resig- 
nation which  betokens  repentance ;  for  then  he  would  be  the  butt 
of  a  thousand  jokes,  and  his  keepers,  troubled  at  his  serious  mood, 
would  accuse  him  of  meditating  some  plot.  It  is  best,  if  he  would 
keep  them  unsuspicious  of  his  intentions,  that  he  should  always 
appear  reckless  and  abandoned.  A  prisoner  who  sports  with  his 


94  MEMOIRS  OF  VWOCQ. 

destiny  is  never  an  object  of  mistrust  •  the  experience  of  the  greater 
part  of  the  wretched  beings  who  have  escaped  from  the  Bagne 
proves  this.  What  is  certain  is,  that  with  us,  those  who  had  the 
greatest  interest  in  escaping  were  the  least  dejected ;  they  were  the 
leaders.  When  night  came  on,  they  began  to  sing.  Imagine  fifty 
scoundrels,  the  greater  part  drunk,  all  screeching  different  airs. 
In  the  midst  of  this  din  a '  return  horse '  thundered  out  with  the 
lungs  of  a  Stentor  some  couplets  of  '  The  Galley  Slave's  Com- 
plaint.' 

All  our  companions  were  not  so  happy ;  in  the  third  cordon, 
composed  of  the  least  disorderly,  we  heard  sobs,  saw  tears  flow- 
ing ;  but  these  symptoms  of  grief,  or  of  repentance,  were  hailed  by 
the  shouts  and  threats  of  the  two  other  cordons,  where  I  figured 
in  the  first  rank  as  a  dangerous  fellow,  from  my  address  and  influ- 
ence. I  had  near  me  two  men — one  a  schoolmaster  condemned 
for  rape  :  and  the  other  an  ex-officer  of  health,  sentenced  for  forg- 
ing— who,  without  mirth  or  melancholy,  talked  together  with  a 
very  calm  and  natural  tone. 

*  We  are  going  to  Brest/  said  the  schoolmaster. 

'  Yes,'  answered  the  officer  of  health,  '  we  are  going  to  Brest ;  I 
know  the  country,  I  passed  through  it  when  I  was  sub-aide  de-camp, 
in  the  i6th  Brigade — a  good  country,  upon  my  word — I  shall  not 
be  sorry  to  see  it  again.' 

'  Is  there  much  amusement?'  asked  the  pedagogue. 

'  Amusement  !'  said  his  companion,  with  an  air  of  astonishment. 

'  Yes,  amusement — I  ask  you,  if  we  can  procure  my  little  plea- 
sure if  we  are  well  treated, — if  provisions  are  cheap.' 

'  In  the  first  place,  you  will  be  taken  care  of,'  replied  the  officer, 
'and  well  taken  care  of;  for  at  the  Bagne  at  Brest  only  two  hours 
are  needed  to  find  all  the  beans  in  the  soup,  while  at  Toulon  the 
search  would  take  eight  days.' 

Here  the  conversation  was  interrupted  by  loud  cries,  proceed- 
ing from  the  second  division.  They  were  knocking  on  the  head 
three  prisoners,  the  ex-commissary  of  war  Lemiere,  the  staff-major 
Simon,  and  a  robber  named  the  Petit  Matelot  (little  sailor),  who 
were  accused  of  having  betrayed  their  comrades  by  information, 
or  of  having  defeated  some  plot  in  prison.  The  person  who  had 
pointed  them  out  to  the  vengeance  of  the  galley-slaves  was  a 
young  man  who  would  have  been  a  good  study  for  a  painter  or 
an  actor.  With  dilapidated  green  slippers,  a  hunting-waistcoat 
destitute  of  buttons,  and  nankeen  pantaloons,  which  seemed  to 
defy  the  inclemency  of  the  weather ;  his  head-dress  was  a  helmet 
without  a  peak,  through  the  holes  of  which  a  tattered  night-cap 
was  visible.  In  the  Bkeire,  he  was  only  known  by  the  name  of 


IN  FETTERS.  95 

*  mademoiselle,'  and  I  learnt  that  he  was  one  of  those  degraded 
wretches  who  abandon  themselves  in  Paris  to  a  course  of  the  most 
disgusting  debaucheries.  The  argousins,  who  ran  at  the  first  noise, 
did  not  give  themselves  the  least  trouble  to  get  the  Petit  Matelot 
from  the  hands  of  the  galley-slaves,  and  he  died  four  days  after- 
wauls  of  the  blows  he  had  received.  Lemiere  and  Simon  would 
also  have  perished  but  for  my  interference ;  I  had  known  the 
former  when  in  the  roving  army,  where  he  had  rendered  me  some 
service.  I  declared  that  it  was  he  who  had  supplied  me  with  the 
tools  necessary  for  undermining  the  walls  at  Fort-Mahon,  and 
thenceforward  they  left  him  and  his  companion  unmolested. 

We  passed  the  night  on  the  stones  in  a  church,  then  converted 
into  a  magazine.  The  argousins  made  regular  rounds  to  assure 
themselves  that  no  one  was  engaged  in  fiddling  (sawing  their 
fetters).  At  daybreak  we  were  all  on  foot ;  the  lists  were  read  over, 
and  the  fetters  examined.  At  six  o'clock  we  were  placed  in  long 
cars,  back  to  back,  the  legs  hanging  down  outside,  covered  with 
hoarfrost  and  motionless  from  cold.  On  reaching  St.  Cyr  we 
were  entirely  stripped,  to  undergo  a  scrutiny  which  extended  to 
our  stockings,  shoes,  shirt,  mouth,  ears,  nostrils,  etc.,  etc.  It  was 
not  only  the  files  in  cases  which  they  sought,  but  also  for  watch- 
springs,  which  enable  a  prisoner  to  cut  his  fetters  in  less  than  three 
hours.  This  examination  lasted  for  upwards  of  an  hour,  and  it  is 
really  a  miracle  that  one-half  of  us  had  not  our  noses  or  feet  frozen 
off  with  cold.  At  bed-time,  we  were  heaped  together  in  a  cattle  stall, 
where  we  laid  so  close  that  the  body  of  one  served  for  the  pillow 
of  the  person  who  laid  nearest  to  him,  and  if  any  individual  got 
entangled  in  his  own,  or  any  other  man's  chain,  a  heavy  cudgel 
rained  down  a  torrent  of  blows  on  the  hapless  offender.  As  soon 
as  we  had  laid  down  on  a  few  handfuls  of  straw,  which  had  already 
been  used  for  the  litter  of  the  stable,  a  whistle  blew  to  command 
us  to  the  most  absolute  silence,  which  was  not  allowed  to  be  dis- 
turbed by  the  least  complaint,  even  when,  to  relieve  the  guard 
placed  at  the  extremity  of  the  stable,  the  argousins  actually  walked 
over  our  bodies. 

The  supper  consisted  of  a  pretended  bean  soup,  and  a  few 
morsels  of  half-mouldy  bread.  The  distribution  was  made  from 
large  wooden  troughs,  containing  thirty  rations ;  and  the  cook, 
armed  with  a  large  pot-ladle,  did  not  fail  to  repeat  to  each  prisoner, 
as  he  served  him,  '  One,  two,  three,  four,  hold  out  your  porringer, 
you  thief;'  the  wine  was  put  into  the  same  trough  from  which  the 
soup  and  meat  were  served  out,  and  then  an  argousin,  taking  a 
whistle,  hanging  to  his  button-hole,  blew  it  thrice  ;  "saying,  'Atten- 
tion, robbers,  and  only  answer  by  a  yes;  or  a  no.  Have  you  had 


96  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

bread  ?'— '  Yes.'     <  Soup  ?'— < Yes.'     '  Meat  ?'— '  Yes.'     « Wine ?'— 
*  Yes.'     '  Then  go  to  sleep,  or  pretend  to  do  so.' 

A  table  was  laid  out  at  the  door,  at  which  the  captain,  lieutenant, 
and  chief  argousins  seated  themselves  to  take  a  repast  superior  to 
ours  ;  for  these  men,  who  profited  by  all  occasions  to  extort  money 
from  the  prisoners,  took  excellent  care  of  themselves,  and  ate  and 
drank  abundantly.  At  this  moment  the  stable  offered  one  of  the 
most  hideous  spectacles  that  can  be  imagined  ;  on  one  side  were  a 
hundred  and  twenty  men  herded  together  like  foul  beasts,  rolling 
about  their  haggard  eyes,  whence  fatigue  or  misery  banished  sleep  ; 
on  the  other  side,  eight  ill-looking  fellows  were  eating  greedily 
without,  not  for  one  moment  losing  sight  of  their  carbines  or  their 
clubs.  A  few  miserable  candles,  affixed  to  the  blackened  walls  of 
the  stable,  cast  a  murky  glare  over  this  scene  of  horror,  the  silence 
of  which  was  only  broken  by  stifled  groans,  or  the  clank  of  fetters. 
Not  content  with  striking  us  indiscriminately,  the  argousins  made 
their  detestable  and  brutal  witticisms  about  the  prisoners  ;  and  if  a 
man,  fevered  with  thirst,  asked  for  water,  they  said  to  him,  '  Let 
him  who  wants  water  put  out  his  hand.'  The  wretch  obeyed,  mis- 
trusting nothing,  and  was  instantly  overwhelmed  with  blows.  Those 
who  had  any  money  were  necessarily  careful ;  they  were  but  very 
few,  the  long  residence  of  the  majority  in  prison  having,  for  the 
most  part,  exhausted  their  feeble  resources. 

These  were  not  the  only  abuses  which  marked  the  progress  of 
the  galley-chain.  To  economize  to  his  own  profit  the  expenses  of 
the  journey,  the  captain  generally  made  one  of  the  cordons  to  go 
on  foot.  But  this  cordon  was  always  that  of  the  strongest  men, 
that  is,  the  most  turbulent  of  the  condemned.  Woe  to  the  females 
whom  they  met,  or  the  shops  which  they  came  near.  The  women 
were  assaulted  in  the  grossest  manner,  and  the  shops  stripped  in  a 
twinkling,  as  I  saw,  at  Morlaix,  at  a  grocer's,  who  did  not  save  even 
a  loaf  of  sugar,  or  a  pound  of  soap.  It  may  be  asked,  what  the 
guards  were  about  during  the  commission  of  this  offence  ?  The 
guards  were  pretending  to  be  very  busily  preventing  it,  but  without 
opposing  any  real  obstacle  to  it,  knowing  that  they  would  ultimately 
profit  by  the  plunder,  since  the  prisoners  must  sell  their  booty 
through  their  medium,  or  exchange  with  them  for  strong  liquors. 
It  was  the  same  with  the  thefts  made  on  the  prisoners  who  were 
added  to  the  chain  in  its  passage ;  scarcely  were  they  ironed,  when 
their  neighbours  hustled  them,  and  took  from  them  all  the  little 
sums  they  might  have. 

Far  from  preventing  or  checking  these  spoliations,  the  argousins 
even  suggested  them,  as  I  saw  them  do  with  an  ex-gendarme  who 
had  sewed  up  a  few  louis  in  his  leather  breeches,  *  Here  is  some 

• 


PONT-A-LEZEN.  97 

fat !'  said  they,  and  in  less  than  three  minutes  the  poor  devil  was 
penniless.  At  such  times  the  party  attacked  calls  out  loudly  for 
the  argousins,  who  take  good  care  not  to  approach  until  the  robbery 
be  perfected,  and  they  thump,  with  heavy  cudgels,  the  poor  wretch 
who  has  been  plundered.  At  Rennes,  the  bandits  I  am  speaking 
of  carried  their  infamy  to  such  an  extent,  as  to  despoil  a  sister  of 
charity,  who  had  brought  us  some  tobacco  and  money,  in  a  stall 
where  we  were  to  pass  the  night.  The  most  crying  of  these  abuses 
have  disappeared,  but  many  yet  exist,  which  it  will  be  difficult  to 
root  out,  if  we  consider  to  what  sort  of  men  the  conducting  of 
the  chain  must  be  intrusted,  and  the  materials  they  have  to  work 
upon. 

Our  toilsome  journey  endured  for  twenty-four  days,  and  on 
reaching  Pont-a-Lezen  we  were  placed  in  the  depot  of  the  Bagne, 
when  the  prisoners  perform  a  kind  of  quarantine,  until  they  have 
recovered  from  their  fatigue,  and  it  has  been  ascertained  whether 
they  have  any  contagious  disease.  On  our  arrival  we  were  washed 
in  pairs,  in  large  tubs  filled  with  warm  water,  and  on  quitting  the 
bath  our  clothes  were  allotted  to  us.  I  received,  like  the  others,  a 
red  frock  or  cassock,  two  pair  of  trousers,  two  sailcloth  shirts,  two 
pair  of  shoes,  and  a  green  cap ;  each  garment  and  article  was 
marked  with  the  initials  GAL,  and  the  cap  had  besides  a  tin  plate, 
on  which  was  the  number  of  the  entry  in  the  register.  When  they 
had  given  us  our  clothing,  they  riveted  an  iron  ring  round  the  leg, 
but  did  not  couple  us. 

The  depot  of  Pont-a-Lezen  being  a  sort  of  lazzaretto,  there  was 
not  a  very  rigorous  vigilance  kept  up.  I  was  even  told  that  it  was 
easy  to  get  out  of  the  rooms  and  climb  the  outside  walls.  I  learnt 
this  from  a  man  named  Blondy,  who  had  once  escaped  this  way 
from  the  Bagne  at  Brest,  and  hoping  to  profit  by  this  information, 
I  made  arrangements  to  avail  myself  of  the  first  opportunity.  We 
sometimes  had  loaves  given  to  us,  weighing  eighteen  pounds  each, 
and  on  quitting  Morlaix  I  had  hollowed  out  one  of  these  and  filled 
it  with  a  shirt,  a  pair  of  trousers,  and  some  handkerchiefs.  It  was 
a  new  kind  of  portmanteau,  and  passed  unsuspected.  Lieutenant 
Thierry  had  not  given  me  to  a  special  watch ;  on  the  contrary, 
having  learnt  the  grounds  of  my  condemnation,  he  had  told  the 
commissary,  when  speaking  of  me,  that  with  men  as  orderly  as  I 
was,  he  could  manage  the  chain  as  easily  as  a  girls'  school  I  had 
when  inspired  no  mistrust,  and  looked  about  me  to  execute  my 
project  I,  at  first,  contemplated  cutting  through  the  wall  of  the 
room  in  which  I  was  placed.  A  steel  chisel,  left  by  accident  at 
the  foot  of  my  bed  by  a  turnkey  prisoner,  who  riveted  the  ankle 
.u^63  served  me  to  make  the  opening,  whilst  Blondy  cut  my  irons,. 


98  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ, 

This  completed,  my  comrades  made  a  figure  of  straw,  which  they 
put  in  my  place,  to  deceive  the  vigilance  of  the  argousins  on  guard, 
and  soon,  clothed  in  the  garments  I  had  concealed,  I  got  into  the 
courtyard  of  the  depot.  The  walls  which  environed  it  were  at  least 
fifteen  feet  high,  and  to  climb  them  I  found  I  must  get  something 
like  a  ladder ;  a  pole  served  as  a  proxy,  but  it  was  so  heavy  and  so 
long  that  it  was  impossible  for  me  to  drag  it  over  the  wall,  to  aid 
my  descent  on  the  other  side.  After  many  trials,  as  vain  as  they 
were  painful,  I  was  compelled  to  risk  the  leap,  in  which  I  suc- 
ceeded so  badly,  and  came  down  with  so  much  violence  on  my 
legs,  that  I  could  scarcely  drag  myself  into  a  bush  that  was  near. 
I  hoped  that  when  the  pain  had  somewhat  abated  I  could  escape 
before  daybreak,  but  it  became  more  excessive,  and  my  feet  swelled 
so  prodigiously,  that  I  was  compelled  to  give  up  all  hopes  of  escape. 
I  dragged  myself  along,  as  well  as  I  was  able,  to  the  door  of  the 
depot,  to  return  to  my  cell,  thinking  thereby  to  diminish  the  number 
of  blows  which  would  be  assuredly  bestowed  upon  me.  A  sister 
whom  I  asked  for,  and  to  whom  I  told  all,  had  me  conveyed  into 
a  room  where  my  feet  were  dressed.  This  excellent  woman,  who 
compassionated  my  lot,  went  to  the  commandant  of  the  depot, 
and  obtained  my  pardon  by  her  solicitations,  and  at  the  end 
of  three  weeks,  being  completely  recovered,  I  was  conveyed  to 
Brest. 

The  Bagne  is  situated  in  the  bosom  of  the  bay  ;  piles  of  guns, 
and  two  pieces  of  cannon,  mounted  at  the  gates,  pointed  out  to 
me  the  entrance,  into  which  I  was  introduced,  after  having  been 
examined  by  the  two  guards  of  the  establishment.  The  boldest  of 
the  condemned,  however  hardened,  have  confessed  that  it  is  im- 
possible to  express  the  emotions  of  horror  excited  by  the  first 
appearance  of  this  abode  of  wretchedness.  Each  room  containing 
twenty  night  camp  couches,  called  banes  (benches),  on  which  lie 
six  hundred  fettered  convicts,  in  long  rows,  with  red  garbs,  heads 
shorn,  eyes  haggard,  dejected  countenances,  whilst  the  perpetual 
clank  of  fetters  conspires  to  fill  the  soul  with  horror.  But  this 
impression  on  the  convict  soon  passes  away,  who,  feeling  that  here 
he  has  no  cause  to  blush  at  the  presence  of  anyone,  soon  identifies 
himself  with  his  situation.  That  he  may  not  be  the  butt  of  the 
gross  jests  and  filthy  buffoonery  of  his  fellows,  he  affects  to  par- 
ticipate in  them ;  he  even  exceeds  them ;  and  soon  in  tone  and 
gesture  this  conventional  depravity  gets  hold  of  his  heart.  Thus, 
at  Anvers,  an  ex-bishop  experienced,  at  first,  all  the  outpourings 
of  the  riotous  jokes  of  his  companions  ;  they  always  addressed  him 
as  monseigneur,  and  asked  his  blessing  in  all  their  obscenities ;  at 
every  moment  they  constrained  him  to  profane  his  former  character 


AT  THE  BAGNE.  99 

by  blasphemous  words,  and,  by  dint  of  reiterating  these  impieties, 
he  contrived  to  shake  off  their  attacks  ;  at  a  subsequent  period  he 
became  the  public- house  keeper  at  the  Bagne,  and  was  always 
styled  monseigneur,  but  he  was  no  longer  asked  for  absolution, 
for  he  would  have  answered  with  the  grossest  blasphemies. 

The  inconveniences  and  abuses  that  existed  at  the  prison  of 
Brest,  when  I  was  conducted  thither,  were  additional  inducements 
to  make  my  sojourn  as  brief  as  possible.  In  such  a  situation,  the 
first  thing  is  to  assure  one's  self  of  the  discretion  of  the  comrade  with 
whom  we  may  be  coupled.  Mine  was  a  vine-cutter  from  Dijon, 
about  thirty  years  old,  condemned  to  twenty-four  years'  labour  for 
forcible  burglary ;  already  half  an  idiot,  misery  and  brutal  treat- 
ment had  completely  stupefied  him.  Bowed  beneath  the  stick,  he 
seemed  to  have  just  preserved  the  instinct  of  a  monkey  or  a  dog, 
and  thus  answered  the  whistle  of  the  galley-sergeants.  He  was  of 
no  use  to  me,  and  I  was  compelled  to  look  out  for  a  mate  who  would 
not  fear  or  shrink  from  the  prospective  beatings  which  are  always 
liberally  bestowed  on  convicts  suspected  of  favouring,  or  even  con- 
niving at  the  escape  of  a  prisoner.  To  get  rid  of  Bourguignon,  I 
feigned  indisposition,  and  he  was  yoked  to  another,  and  when  I 
recovered,  1  was  placed  with  a  poor  devil  sentenced  to  eight  years' 
labour  for  stealing  chickens  from  a  church. 

He  had  not  entirely  parted  with  his  senses,  and  the  first  time  we 
were  alone  together,  said  to  me — *  Listen,  comrade ;  I  can  see  you 
do  not  mean  to  live  long  at  the  public  expense — be  frank  with  me, 
and  you  will  not  lose  by  it.'  I  told  him  that  I  intended  to  escape 
at  the  first  opportunity.  *  Well,'  said  he,  'I  advise  you  to  bolt  before 
the  beasts  of  sergeants  are  quite  acquainted  with  your  phiz — but 
have  you  any  cash  ?'  I  told  him  that  I  had,  and  he  then  informed 
me  that  he  could  procure  me  other  habiliments,  but  that  I  must 
buy  a  few  utensils  like  one  who  meant  to  work  out  his  time  quietly. 
These  utensils  were  two  wooden  bowls,  a  wine-keg,  straps  to  support 
my  fetters,  and  a  small  mattress  stuffed  with  oakum.  It  was  Thurs- 
day, the  sixteenth  day  of  my  confinement  at  the  Bagne,  and  on  the 
Saturday  evening  I  obtained  sailor's  clothe^  which  I  immediately 
put  on  under  my  convict's  frock.  On  paying  the  seller  of  them, 
I  saw  that  he  had  about  his  wrists  round  cicatrices  of  deep  burns, 
and  I  learnt,  that  being  condemned  to  the  galleys  for  life  in  1776, 
he  had  been  put  to  the  torture  at  Rennes,  without  confessing  the 
robbery  of  which  he  was  accused.  On  the  promulgation  of  the 
code  of  1791,  his  sentence  was  commuted  to  twenty-four  years' 
labour  at  the  galleys. 

The  next  day,  my  division  went  out,  at  the  cannon's  signal,  to 
work  at  the  pump,  which  was  always  in  motion.  At  the  wicket 

7—2 


ioo  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

they  examined,  as  usual,  our  manacles  and  clothing;  knowing  this 
practice,  I  had  pasted  over  my  sailor's  garb  a  bladder  painted  flesh 
colour.  As  I  purposely  left  my  frock  and  shirt  open,  none  of  the 
guards  thought  of  examining  me  more  closely,  and  I  got  out  un- 
suspected. Arrived  at  the  basin,  I  retired  with  my  comrade  behind 
a  pile  of  planks,  and  my  fetters,  having  been  cut  the  previous  even- 
ing, soon  yielded.  Having  got  rid  of  these,  I  soon  threw  off  my 
galley-frock  and  trousers,  and  putting  on  under  my  leathern  cap  a 
wig  which  I  had  brought  from  Bicetre,  and  having  given  my  com- 
rade the  trifling  recompense  which  I  had  promised  him,  I  dis- 
appeared, cautiously  gliding  behind  the  piles  of  timber. 


CHAPTER  IX. 
Pursuit  of  the  galley-slave — The  hospital— The  mother  of  robbe  s. 

I  PASSED  through  the  wicket  without  difficulty,  and  found  myself 
in  Brest,  a  place  entirely  unknown  to  me  ;  and  the  fear  that  my 
doubt  as  to  what  road  I  should  take  might  induce  suspicion  in- 
creased my  uneasiness.  At  length,  after  a  thousand  ins  and  outs, 
turnings  and  twistings,  I  reached  the  only  gate  of  the  city,  where 
was  always  stationed  an  old  galley-guard,  named  Lachique,  who 
detected  a  convict  by  a  look,  a  motion,  or  a  turn ;  and  what  ren- 
dered his  observations  more  easy  is,  that  whoever  passes  any  time 
at  the  Bagne,  drags  habitually  and  involuntarily  that  leg  to  which 
the  fetter  has  been  fastened.  However,  it  was  necessary  to  pass 
this  dreaded  personage,  who  was  smoking  very  sedately,  fixing  his 
hawk's  eye  on  all  who  went  in  and  came  out.  I  had  been  warned, 
and  determining  to  exercise  all  my  effrontery,  on  getting  up  to 
Lachique,  I  put  down  a  pitcher  of  buttermilk,  which  I  had  pur- 
chased to  render  my  disguise  the  more  complete,  and  filling  my 
pipe,  I  asked  him  for  a  light.  He  gave  it  readily,  and  with  all  the 
courtesy  he  was  capable  of,  and  after  we  had  blown  a  few  whiffs  in 
each  other's  faces,  I  left  him  and  went  on  my  way. 

I  went  straight  forward  for  three-quarters  of  an  hour,  when  I 
heard  the  cannon  shots  which  were  fired  to  announce  the  escape 
fA  a  convict,  so  that  the  peasantry  of  the  neighbourhood  may  be 
informed  that  there  is  a  reward  of  one  hundred  francs  to  be  ob- 
tained by  the  lucky  individual  who  may  apprehend  the  fugitive.  I 
saw  many  persons  armed  with  guns  and  scythes  scour  about  the 
country,  and  beat  every  bush,  and  even  the  smallest  tufts  of  heath. 
Some  labourers  appeared  to  take  their  arms  out  with  them  as  a 
precaution,  for  I  saw  several  quit  their  work  with  a  gun  which  they 


A  READY  RUSE.  lot 

took  out  of  a  furrow.  One  of  these  latter  passed  near  me  in  a  cross 
road  which  I  had  taken  on  hearing  the  report  of  the  cannon,  but 
they  had  no  suspicion  of  me,  for  I  was  clad  very  well,  and  my  hat 
being  off  by  reason  of  the  heat,  they  saw  my  hair  curled,  which 
could  not  be  the  case  with  a  convict. 

I  continued  striking  into  all  the  by-ways,  and  avoiding  towns  and 
detached  houses.  At  twilight  I  met  two  women,  whom  I  asked 
about  the  road,  but  they  answered  me  in  a  dialect  which  I  did  not 
comprehend,  but  on  showing  them  some  money,  and  making  signs 
that  I  was  hungry,  they  conducted  me  to  a  small  village  to  a 
cabaret,  kept  by  the  garde-champetre  (patrol),  whom  I  saw  in  the 
chimney  nook,  decorated  with  his  insignia  of  office.  I  was  for  a 
moment  disturbed,  but  soon  recovering  myself,  I  said  I  wished  to 
speak  to  the  mayor.  '  I  am  he,'  said  an  old  countryman  with  a 
woollen  cap  and  wooden  shoes,  seated  at  a  small  table  and  eating 
an  oaten  cake.  This  was  a  fresh  disappointment  to  me,  who 
relied  on  escaping  in  my  way  from  the  cabaret  to  the  mayor's 
house.  However,  I  had  the  difficulty  to  contend  with,  and  surpass 
in  some  way  or  other.  I  told  the  wooden-shoed  functionary,  that 
having  lost  myself  on  leaving  Morlaix  for  Brest,  I  had  wandered 
about,  and  asking  him  at  the  same  time  how  far  it  was  from  this 
latter  city,  and  expressing  a  desire  to  sleep  there  that  evening — 
'You  are  five  leagues  from  Brest,'  said  he,  'and  it  is  impossible 
to  reach  it  this  evening :  if  you  will  sleep  here,  I  will  give  you  a 
bed  in  my  barn,  and  to-morrow  you  can  start  with  the  garde-cham- 
petre, who  is  going  to  carry  back  a  fugitive  convict  whom  we  ap- 
prehended yesterday.' 

These  last  words  renewed  all  my  terrors,  for  by  the  tone  in 
which  they  were  uttered,  I  saw  that  the  mayor  had  not  credited 
the  whole  of  my  story.  I,  however,  accepted  his  obliging  offer ; 
but  after  supper,  at  the  instant  we  reached  the  barn,  putting  my 
hands  in  my  pockets,  I  cried  out  with  all  the  energy  of  a  man  in 
despair — '  Oh,  heavens  !  I  have  left  at  Morlaix  my  pocket-book, 
with  my  passport  and  eight  double  louis.  I  must  return  this  mo- 
ment, yes,  this  very  moment;  but  how  shall  I  find  my  way?  If 
the  patrol,  who  knows  the  road,  would  go  with  me,  we  should  be 
back  in  time  in  the  morning  to  set  out  early  with  the  galley-slave.' 
This  proposal  routed  all  suspicions,  for  a  man  who  wishes  to 
escape  seldom  solicits  the  company  he  would  fain  avoid ;  on  the 
other  hand,  the  garde-champetre,  smelling  a  reward,  had  buttoned 
on  his  gaiters  at  the  first  word.  We  set  out  accordingly*  and  at 
break  of  day  reached  Morlaix.  My  companion,  whom  I  had 
taken  care  to  ply  well  with  liquor  on  the  road,  was  already  pretty 
well  in  for  it,  and  I  completed  him  with  some  rum  at  the  first  pot- 


102  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

house  we  reached  in  the  city.  He  stayed  there  to  wait  for  me  at 
the  table,  or  rather  under  the  table,  and  he  might  have  waited 
long  enough. 

I  asked  the  first  person  I  met  to  direct  me  to  Cannes,  and  on 
being  told,  I  set  out,  as  the  Dutch  proverb  has  it,  '  with  my  feet 
shod  by  fear.'  Two  days  passed  without  accident,  but  on  the 
third,  some  leagues  from  Guemene",  at  the  turning  of  the  road,  I 
met  two  gendarmes,  who  were  returning  from  duty.  The  unex- 
pected vision  of  yellow  breeches  and  laced  hats  gave  me  uneasi- 
ness, and  I  made  an  effort  to  escape,  when  my  two  gentlemen 
desired  me  to  halt,  making  .at  the  same  time  a  very  significant 
gesture  with  their  carbines.  They  came  up  to  me,  and  having  no 
credentials  to  show  them,  I  invented  a  reply  on  the  spur  of  the 
moment.  '  My  name  is  Duval,  born  at  1'Orient,  deserter  from  the 
Cocarde  frigate,  now  in  the  roadstead  at  St.  Malo.'  It  is  useless 
to  say,  that  I  had  learnt  all  this  during  my  stay  at  the  Bagne, 
where  we  had  daily  accounts  from  all  parts.  *  What !'  cried  the 
chief,  'you  must  be  Auguste — son  of  father  Duval,  who  lives  at 
1'Orient,  on  the  terrace  near  the  Boule  d'Or.'  I  did  not  deny  this, 
for  it  would  have  been  worse  to  have  been  detected  as  a  fugitive 
convict.  '  Parbleu !'  added  the  brigadier,  '  I  am  sorry  you  are 
caught,  but  that  cannot  now  be  helped;  I  must  send  you  to 
1'Orient  or  to  St.  Malo.'  I  begged  him  not  to  send  me  to  the 
former  of  these  towns,  not  caring  to  be  confronted  with  my  new 
relations,  in  case  they  should  desire  to  confirm  the  identity  of  my 
person.  However,  the  quartermaster  gave  orders  that  I  should 
be  conducted  thither,  and  the  next  day  I  reached  1'Orient,  when  I 
was  entered  in  the  gaoler's  book,  at  Pontainau,  the  naval  prison, 
near  the  new  Bagne,  which  was  to  be  peopled  by  convicts  brought 
hither  from  Brest. 

Being  next  day  questioned  by  the  commissary  of  the  marine,  I 
again  declared  that  I  was  Auguste  Duval ;  and  that  I  had  left  my 
ship  without  permission,  to  go  and  see  my  parents.  I  was  then 
led  back  to  prison,  where  I  found,  amongst  other  sailors,  a  young 
man  of  1'Orient,  accused  of  striking  a  lieutenant.  Having  talked 
some  time  with  him,  he  said  to  me  one  morning,  '  My  boy,  if 
you  will  pay  for  breakfast,  I  will  tell  you  a  secret  worth  knowing.' 

His  mysterious  air  disturbed  me,  and  made  me  anxious  to  know 
all ;  and  after  breakfast  he  said  to  me,  'Trust  to  me  and  then  I 
can  extricate  you.  I  do  not  know  who  you  are,  but  I  am  sure 
you  are  not  young  Duval,  for  he  has  been  dead  these  two  years  at 
St.  Pierre,  at  Martinique.'  (I  started.)  'Yes,  he  has  been  dead  these 
two  years,  but  no  one  knows  it,  so  well  are  our  colonial  hospitals 
regulated  Now,  I  can  give  you  such  statements  about  his  family, 


AUGUSTE  DUVAL.  103 

that  you  may  pass  for  him  even  with  his  parents,  for  he  left  home 
when  he  was  very  young.  To  make  quite  sure,  you  can  feign  a 
weakness  of  intellect,  produced  by  sea  toil  and  sickness.  Besides, 
before  Auguste  Duval  went  to  sea  he  had  a  mark  tattooed  on  his 
left  arm,  as  most  sailors  have  ;  I  know  it  well ;  it  was  an  altar  with 
a  garland  on  it  If  you  will  remain  a  fortnight  in  the  cell  with 
me,  I  will  mark  you  in  a  similar  manner,  so  that  all  the  world 
could  not  detect  the  imposture.' 

My  friend  appeared  frank  and  open-hearted,  and  I  may  account 
for  the  interest  he  took  in  me  by  his  desire  to  trick  justice,  a  feel- 
ing that  pervades  the  minds  of  all  prisoners  ;  for  them  to  deceive 
it,  mislead  it,  or  delay  it,  is  a  pleasurable  vengeance,  which  they 
willingly  purchase  at  the  expense  of  a  few  weeks'  confinement. 
Here  was  such  an  opportunity,  and  the  means  were  soon  put  in 
action.  Under  the  windows  of  our  room  was  a  sentinel,  and  we 
began  by  pelting  him  with  pieces  of  bread ;  and  as  he  threatened 
to  tell  the  gaoler  of  us,  we  dared  him  to  put  his  menaces  into 
execution.  On  this,  when  he  was  relieved,  the  corporal,  who  was 
a  meddling  fellow,  went  to  the  office ;  and  the  next  moment  the 
gaoler  came  to  take  us,  without  even  telling  us  the  reason  of  our 
removal.  But  we  soon  found  it  out,  on  entering  a  sort  of  hole  in 
the  sunken  ditch,  very  damp  but  tolerably  light.  Scarcely  were 
we  shut  in,  than  my  comrade  commenced  operations,  in  which  he 
perfectly  succeeded.  It  consisted  only  in  pricking  my  arm  with 
several  needles  tied  together,  and  dipped  in  Indian  ink  and  car- 
mine. At  the  end  of  twelve  days  the  wounds  closed,  so  that  it 
was  impossible  to  tell  how  long  they  had  been  made.  My  com- 
panion also  took  advantage  of  this  '  leisure  undisturbed/  to  give 
me  additional  details  concerning  the  Duval  family,  whom  he  had 
known  from  childhood,  and  was  in  fact  related  to  them,  and  in- 
structed even  in  the  minutest  habitual  trick  of  my  Sosia, 

These  instructions  were  of  unspeakable  advantage  to  me  when, 
on  the  sixteenth  day  after  our  detention  in  the  dungeon,  I  was 
taken  out  to  be  confronted  with  my  father,  whom  the  commissary 
of  marine  had  sent  for.  My  comrade  had  so  well  described  him, 
that  I  could  not  be  mistaken  on  perceiving  him.  I  threw  my 
arms  about  his  neck  ;  he  recognised  me ;  his  wife,  who  came  soon 
after,  recognised  me  ;  a  female  cousin  and  an  uncle  recognised  me ; 
and  I  was  so  undoubtedly  Auguste  Duval,  that  the  commissary 
himself  was  convinced  of  it  But  this  was  not  sufficient  to  procure 
my  liberation ;  as  a  deserter  from  the  Cocarde^  I  was  to  be  sent  to 
Saint  Malo,  where  she  had  left  several  men  at  the  hospital,  and 
then  be  tried  before  the  maritime  court  To  tell  the  truth,  I  felt 
no  alarm  at  this  :  certain  that  I  should  find  means  of  escape  on  my 


104  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

journey,  I  set  out  at  length,  bathed  with  my  parents'  tears,  and 
the  richer  by  several  louis,  which  I  added  to  the  stock  already 
concealed  about  me. 

Until  we  reached  Quimper,  where  I  was  to  be  handed  over  to 
another  guard,  no  opportunity  presented  of  bidding  adieu  to  the 
company  of  gendarmes  who  guarded  me,  as  well  as  many  other 
individuals,  robbers,  smugglers,  or  deserters.  We  were  placed  in 
the  town  gaol,  and  on  entering  the  chamber  where  I  was  to  pass 
the  night,  I  saw  at  the  foot  of  the  bed  a  red  frock,  marked  on  the 
back  GAL,  initials  but  too  well  known  to  me.  There,  covered 
with  a  tattered  quilt,  slept  a  man,  whom,  by  his  green  cap  decked 
with  the  tin  plate  numbered,  I  recognised  as  a  galley-slave.  Would 
he  know,  would  he  betray  me  ?  I  was  in  a  spasm  of  fear,  when 
the  individual,  awakened  by  the  noise  of  bolts  and  bars,  sat  up  in 
his  bed,  and  I  knew  him  to  be  a  young  fellow  named  Goupy,  who 
went  to  Brest  at  the  same  time  as  myself.  He  was  condemned  to 
chains  for  life,  for  a  forcible  burglary  in  the  environs  of  Bernai  in 
Normandy  ;  his  father  was  a  galley- sergeant  at  Brest,  where,  most 
probably,  he  did  not  come  first  purely  for  change  of  air.  Not 
wishing  to  have  him  continually  before  his  sight,  he  had  procured 
an  order  for  his  removal  to  the  Bagne  at  Rochfort,  and  he  was 
then  on  -his  road  thither.  I  told  him  all  my  affairs,  and  he  pro- 
mised secresy,  and  kept  his  promise  the  more  faithfully,  as  it  would 
have  profited  him  nothing  to  betray  me. 

However,  the  guard  did  not  stir  immediately,  and  fifteen  days 
elapsed  after  my  arrival  at  Quimper,  without  any  mention  of  de- 
parture. This  delay  gave  me  the  idea  of  penetrating  the  wall  and 
escaping  ;  but  having  found  the  impossibility  of  success,  I  managed 
so  as  to  obtain  the  confidence  of  the  gaoler,  and  got  an  oppor- 
tunity of  executing  my  project  by  inspiring  him  with  an  idea 
of  false  security.  After  having  told  him  that  I  had  heard  the 
prisoners  plotting  something,  I  pointed  out  to  him  the  place  in  the 
prison  where  they  had  been  at  work.  He  made  most  minute 
search,  and  naturally  enough  found  the  hole  I  had  made ;  and  this 
discovery  procured  for  me  all  his  kindness.  I  sometimes  found 
it  overpowering,  for  the  watch  was  kept  so  regularly  that  all  my 
schemes  were  routed.  I  began  to  think  of  going  to  the  hospital, 
where  I  hoped  to  be  more  fortunate  in  the  execution  of  my  pro- 
jects. To  give  myself  a  high  fever,  it  was  only  necessary  to 
swallow  tobacco-juice  for  a  couple  of  days,  and  then  the  doctors 
ordered  my  removal.  On  getting  to  the  house,  I  got  in  exchange 
for  my  clothes  a  grey  cap  and  cloak,  and  was  then  put  along  with 
the  rest. 

It  was  a  part  of  my  plan  to  remain  for  some  time  at  the  hospital, 


IN  HOSPITAL.  105 

that  I  might  know  the  ways  in  and  out,  but  the  illness  caused  by 
the  tobacco-juice  would  only  last  for  three  or  four  days,  and  it  was 
necessary  to  find  some  recipe  which  would  bring  on  another  com- 
plaint ;  for,  knowing  no  one  in  the  place,  it  was  impossible  for  me 
to  get  a  supply  of  tobacco-juice.  At  Bicetre,  I  had  been  taught 
how  to  produce  those  wounds  and  sores,  by  means  of  which  so 
many  beggars  excite  public  pity,  and  get  those  alms  which  cannot 
be  worse  bestowed.  Of  all  these  expedients,  I  adopted  that  which 
consisted  in  making  the  head  swell  like  a  bushel ;  first,  because 
the  doctors  would  certainly  be  mistaken ;  and  then  because  it  gave 
no  pain,  and  all  traces  of  it  could  be  removed  by  the  day  following. 
My  head  became  suddenly  of  a  prodigious  size,  and  great  was  the 
talk  thereof  amongst  the  doctors  of  the  establishment,  who  not 
being,  as  it  appeared,  blessed  with  a  superabundance  of  skill,  knew 
not  what  to  think  of  it.  I  believe  some  of  them  spoke  of  elephan- 
tiasis, or  of  dropsy  in  the  brain.  But,  be  that  as  it  may,  their 
brilliant  consultation  ended  in  the  prescription  most  common  in 
hospitals,  of  putting  me  on  the  most  strict  regimen. 

With  money,  such  orders  did  not  fret  me ;  but  yet  I  had  only 
gold,  and  changing  that  might  awaken  suspicion.  However,  I 
determined  to  try  a  liberated  convict,  who  acted  as  infirmary 
helper ;  and  this  fellow,  who  would  do  anything  for  money,  soon 
procured  for  me  what  I  desired.  On  my  telling  him  that  I  was 
desirous  of  getting  out  into  the  town  for  a  few  hours,  he  said,  that 
if  I  disguised  myself,  it  would  not  be  difficult,  as  the  walls  were 
not  very  high.  It  was,  he  said,  the  way  he  and  his  companions 
got  out  when  they  wanted  anything.  We  agreed  that  he  should 
provide  me  with  clothes,  and  that  he  should  accompany  me  in  my 
nocturnal  excursion,  which  was  to  be  a  visit  to  sup  with  some  girls. 
But  the  only  clothes  he  could  procure  for  me  inside  the  hospital 
were  much  too  small,  and  we  were  compelled  to  suspend  opera- 
tions for  a  time. 

Just  at  this  time,  one  of  the  sisters  of  charity  passed  by  my  bed, 
whom  I  had  already  watched  in  performing  very  mundane  duties ; 
not  that  Sister  Franchise  was  one  of  those  dandified  nuns  who 
were  ridiculed  on  the  stage,  before  the  young  nuns  were  trans- 
formed into  boarders,  and  the  white  handkerchief  was  replaced  by 
the  green  apron.  Sister  Fran£oise  was  about  thirty-four,  a  brunette, 
with  a  deep  colour,  and  her  powerful  charms  created  more  than 
one  unhappy  passion,  as  well  amongst  the  soldiers  as  the  infirmary 
overseers.  On  seeing  this  seducing  creature,  who  weighed  perhaps 
nearly  fifteen  stone,  the  idea  occurred  to  me  that  I  would  borrow 
for  a  short  time  her  cloister  garb.  I  spoke  of  it  jestingly  to  my 
overseer,  but  he  took  it  as  if  meant  seriously,  and  promised  on  the 


io6  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

ensuing  night  to  get  a  part  of  Sister  Frangoise's  wardrobe.  About 
two  in  the  morning,  I  saw  him  come  with  a  parcel,  containing  a 
gown,  handkerchief,  stockings,  etc.,  which  he  had  carried  off  from 
the  sister's  cell  whilst  she  was  at  matins.  All  my  bedroom  com- 
panions, nine  in  number,  were  soundly  asleep,  but  I  went  out  to 
put  on  my  attire.  What  gave  me  the  most  trouble  was  the  head- 
dress. I  had  no  idea  of  the  mode  of  arranging  it,  and  yet  the 
appearance  of  disorder  in  these  garments,  always  arranged  with  a 
scrupulous  nicety,  would  have  infallibly  betrayed  me. 

At  length  Sister  Vidocq  finished  her  toilet,  and  we  crossed  the 
courts  and  gardens,  and  reached  a  place  where  the  wall  could  be 
easily  scaled.  I  then  gave  the  overseer  fifty  francs,  nearly  all  my 
store ;  he  lent  me  a  hand,  and  I  was  soon  in  a  lonely  spot,  whence 
I  reached  the  country,  guided  by  my  indefinite  directions. 
Although  much  encumbered  with  my  petticoats,  I  yet  walked  so 
fast  as  to  get  on  at  least  two  leagues  before  sunrise.  A  country- 
man whom  I  met  going  to  sell  his  vegetables  at  Quimper,  and 
whom  I  questioned  as  to  my  road,  told  me  that  I  was  journeying 
towards  Brest.  This  was  not  the  way  for  me,  and  I  made  the 
fellow  comprehend  that  I  wished  to  go  towards  Rennes,  and  he 
pointed  out  to  me  a  cross  road  leading  to  the  high  route  to  this 
city,  which  I  immediately  took,  trembling  at  every  moment,  lest  I 
should  meet  any  of  the  soldiers  of  the  English  army,  then  lying  in 
the  villages  between  Nantes  and  Brest.  About  ten  in  the  morning, 
on  reaching  a  small  hamlet,  I  inquired  if  there  were  any  soldiers 
near,  evincing  much  fear,  which  was  real,  however,  lest  they  should 
examine  me,  which  would  have  led  to  a  detection.  The  person 
whom  I  asked  was  a  sacristan,  full  of  chatter  and  inquisitiveness, 
who  compelled  me  to  enter  the  curate's  house  near  at  hand,  to 
take  some  refreshment. 

The  curate,  an  elderly  man,  whose  face  betrayed  that  bene- 
volence so  rare  amongst  the  ecclesiastics  who  come  into  towns  to 
blazon  forth  their  pretensions  and  conceal  their  immorality,  re- 
ceived me  very  kindly.  *  My  dear  sister,'  said  he,  '  I  was  about  to 
celebrate  mass ;  as  soon  as  that  is  over,  you  shall  breakfast  with 
us.'  I  was  then  compelled  to  go  to  church,  and  it  was  no  trifling 
embarrassment  for  me  to  make  the  signs  and  genuflexions  pre- 
scribed to  a  nun.  Fortunately,  the  curate's  old  female  servant 
was  at  my  side,  and  I  got  through  very  well  by  imitating  her  in 
every  particular.  Mass  concluded,  we  sat  down  to  table,  and 
interrogatories  commenced.  I  told  the  good  people  that  I  was 
going  to  Rennes  to  perform  penance  ;  the  curate  asked  nothing 
more ;  but  the  sacristan  pressing  me  rather  importunately  to  know 
why  I  was  thus  punished,  I  told  him,  *  Alas,  it  was  for  curiosity !' 


THE  BRITTANY  PEASANT.  107 


This  closed  the  little  man's  mouth.  My  situation  was,  however, 
one  of  difficulty  :  I  was  afraid  to  eat,  lest  I  should  betray  too  manly 
an  appetite ;  and  again,  I  more  frequently  said  '  M.  le  Cure",'  than 
4  my  dear  brother :'  so  that  my  blunders  would  have  betrayed  all, 
had  I  not  terminated  the  breakfast.  I  found  means,  however,  to 
learn  the  names  of  the  villages  of  the  district,  and,  strengthened 
by  the  blessings  of  the  curate,  who  promised  not  to  forget  me  in 
his  prayers,  I  went  on  my  way  somewhat  more  accustomed  to  my 
new  attire. 

I  met  few  people  on  my  way — the  wars  of  the  revolution  had 
depopulated  the  wretched  country ;  and  I  traversed  the  villages 
whilst  the  inhabitants  were  all  in  bed.  Arriving  one  night  at  a 
hamlet,  composed  of  a  few  houses,  I  knocked  at  the  door  of  a 
farm-house.  An  old  woman  came  to  open  it  to  me,  and  conducted 
me  to  a  good-sized  parlour.  The  family  consisted  of  father,  mother, 
a  young  lad,  and  two  girls,  from  fifteen  to  seventeen  years  of  age 
When  I  went  in,  they  were  making  a  kind  of  cake  of  buckwheat 
flour,  and  were  all  around  the  frying  pan.  I  expressed  my  desire 
for  some  refreshment.  Out  of  respect  to  my  sacred  office,  they 
gave  me  the  first  cakes,  which  I  devoured  without  even  feeling 
that  they  were  so  burning  hot  as  to  scorch  my  palate.  I  have  often 
since  sat  down  at  sumptuous  tables,  where  I  have  had  abundance 
of  most  exquisite  wines,  and  meats  of  the  most  delicate  and  de- 
licious flavour,  but  I  can  never  forgot  the  cakes  of  the  peasant 
of  Lower  Brittany. 

On  the  termination  of  supper  we  had  prayers,  and  then  the  father 
and  mother  lighted  their  pipes.  Suffering  greatly  from  agitation 
and  fatigue,  I  expressed  a  wish  to  retire.  *  We  have  no  bed  to  give 
you,'  said  the  master  of  the  house,  who,  having  been  a  sailor,  spoke 
very  good  French:  'you  shall  sleep  with  my  two  girls.'  I  ob- 
served to  him,  that  going  on  a  vow  I  must  sleep  on  straw,  adding 
that  I  should  be  contented  with  a  corner  in  the  stable.  *  Oh  !' 
replied  he ;  'in  sleeping  with  Jeanne  and  Madelon  you  will  not 
break  your  vow,  for  the  bed  is  only  made  of  straw.  Besides,  you 
cannot  be  in  the  stable,  for  that  is  already  occupied  by  a  tinker  and 
two  soldiers,  who  asked  my  leave  to  pass  the  night  there.'  1  could 
say  nothing  more;  and,  but  too  glad  to  escape  the  soldiery,  I 
reached  the  boudoir  of  the  young  ladies.  It  was  a  loft  filled  with 
cider  apples,  cheese,  and  smoked  bacon  :  in  one  corner  a  dozen 
fowls  were  roosting,  and  lower  down  were  hutched  eight  rabbits. 
The  furniture  consisted  of  a  dilapidated  pitcher,  worm-eaten  joint- 
stool,  and  the  fragment  of  a  looking-glass  ;  the  bed,  like  all  in  that 
country,  was  only  a  chest  shaped  like  a  coffin,  half-filled  with  straw, 
and  scarcely  three  feet  wide. 


roS  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

Here  was  a  fresh  embarrassment  for  me ;  the  two  young  girls 
undressed  very  deliberately  before  me,  who  had  many  and  good 
reasons  for  seeming  very  shy.  Independently  of  circumstances 
that  may  be  guessed,  I  had  under  my  female  attire  a  man's  shirt, 
which  would  betray  my  sex  and  my  incognito.  Not  to  be  detected, 
I  took  out  a  few  pins  very  slowly,  and  when  I  saw  the  two  sisters 
had  got  into  bed  I  overturned,  as  if  by  accident,  the  iron  lamp 
which  lighted  us,  and  then  took  off  my  feminine  habits  without 
fear.  On  getting  between  the  sail-cloth  sheets,  I  laid  down  so  as 
to  avoid  all  unlucky  detection.  It  was  a  tormenting  night :  for 
without  being  pretty,  Mademoiselle  Jeanne,  who  could  not  stir 
without  touching  me,  had  a  freshness  and  plumpness  but  too 
attractive  for  a  man  condemned  for  so  long  a  period  to  the  rigours 
of  absolute  celibacy ;  those  who  have  ever  been  in  a  similar  situa- 
tion will  believe  without  difficulty  that  I  could  not  sleep  for  a 
single  instant. 

I  was  motionless,  with  my  eyes  open  like  a  hare  in  its  form, 
when  long  before  daylight  I  heard  a  knocking  with  the  butt-end  of 
a  musket  against  the  door.  My  first  idea,  like  every  man  in  similar 
circumstances,  was  that  they  had  traced  me,  and  were  coming  to  ap- 
prehend me;  but  I  did  not  know  where  to  conceal  myself.  The  blows 
were  redoubled :  and  I  then  bethought  me  of  the  soldiers  sleeping 
in  the  stable,  which  dissipated  my  fears.  *  Who  is  there?'  said  the 
master  of  the  house,  leaping  up. — '  Your  soldiers.' — 'Well,  what  do 
you  want  ?' — *  Fire  to  light  our  pipes  before  we  set  off.'  Our  host 
then  arose,  and  blowing  up  the  fire  left  in  the  ashes,  he  opened  the 
door  to  the  soldiers.  One  of  these,  looking  at  his  watch  by  the 
lamp  light,  said,  *  It  is  half-past  four  o'clock.  Come,  let  us  go ;  the 
rations  are  in  good  order.  Come,  to  the  march,  my  lads.'  They 
went  away,  and  our  host,  putting  out  the  lamp,  went  to  bed  again. 
As  for  me,  not  wishing  to  dress  myself  in  presence  of  my  bed- 
fellows any  more  than  undress  myself,  I  immediately  rose,  and 
lighting  the  lamp,  put  on  my  woollen  gown,  and  then  going  down 
on  my  knees  in  a  corner,  pretended  to  pray  until  the  family  should 
awake.  I  did  not  remain  long  in  waiting.  At  five  o'clock  in  the 
morning  the  mother  cried  from  her  bed,  '  Jeanne,  get  up,  and  get 
some  soup  ready  for  the  sister,  who  wishes  to  depart  early.'  Jeanne 
got  up,  and  the  butter-milk  soup  having  been  made  and  eaten 
with  good  appetite,  I  left  the  good  persons  who  had  so  kindly 
welcomed  me. 

Having  walked  all  day  without  flagging,  I  found  myself  at  the 
close  of  the  day  in  a  village  near  the  environs  of  Vannes,  when  I 
remembered  I  had  been  deceived  by  false  or  mistaken  directions. 
I  slept  at  this  village,  and  the  next  day  I  went  through  Vannes  at 


THE  '  MOTHER  OF  ROBBERS:  109 

a  very  early  hour.  At  the  end  of  eight  days'  walk,  I  reached 
Nantes,  and  I  inquired  for  the  He  Feydeau.  When  at  the  Bicetre, 
I  had  learnt  from  a  man  named  Grenier,  called  the  Nantais,  that 
there  was  in  this  quarter  a  kind  of  auberge,  where  robbers  met 
without  fear  of  disturbance.  I  knew  that  by  using  a  well-known 
name  I  should  be  admitted  without  difficulty;  but  I  only  re- 
membered the  address  very  vaguely,  and  scarcely  knew  how  and 
where  to  find  out  the  place.  I  adopted  an  expedient  which  suc- 
ceeded. I  went  into  many  houses  and  asked  for  M.  Grenier ;  at 
the  fourth  where  I  sought  for  this  name,  the  hostess,  leaving  two 
persons  with  whom  she  was  conversing,  took  me  into  a  small  room 
and  said  to  me,  '  Have  you  seen  Grenier  ?  Is  he  still  sick  (in 
prison)  ?'— '  No,'  answered  I,  'he  is  well  (free);'  and  perceiving 
that  I  was  all  right  with  the  mother  of  robbers,  I  told  her  un- 
hesitatingly who  I  was,  and  how  I  was  situated.  Without  replying, 
she  took  my  arm,  and  opening  a  door  let  into  the  panel,  made  me 
enter  a  low  room  where  eight  men  and  women  were  playing  at 
cards  and  drinking  brandy,  etc.  *  Here,'  said  my  guide,  presenting 
me  to  the  goodly  party,  much  astonished  at  the  appearance  of  a 
nun,  'here  is  a  sister  come  to  convert  you  all.'  At  the  same  time 
I  tore  off  my  handkerchief,  and  three  of  the  party,  whom  I  had 
met  at  the  Bagne,  recognised  me  ;  they  were  Berry,  Bidaut  Mauger, 
and  the  young  Goupy,  whom  T  had  met  at  Quimper ;  the  others 
were  fugitives  from  the  Bagne  of  Rochfort.  They  were  much 
amused  at  my  disguise ;  and  when  supper  had  made  us  all  very 
jolly,  one  of  the  females  put  on  my  nun's  habits,  and  her 
gestures  and  attitudes  contrasted  so  strangely  with  this  costume, 
that  we  all  laughed  till  we  cried,  until  the  moment  when  we  went 
to  bed. 

On  waking,  I  found  on  my  bed  new  clothes,  linen,  and  in  fact 
everything  necessary  for  my  toilet.  Whence  did  they  come  ?  but 
this  was  of  no  consequence.  The  little  money  which  I  had  not 
expended  at  the  Hospital  of  Quimper,  where  I  paid  dearly  for 
everything,  had  been  used  on  my  journey;  and  without  clothes, 
resources,  or  acquaintances,  I  was  compelled  to  wait  until  I  could 
write  to  my  mother ;  and  in  the  meantime  accepted  all  that  was 
offered  me.  But  one  circumstance  of  a  particular  nature  abridged 
my  stay  at  the  He  Feydeau.  At  the  end  of  a  week,  my  com- 
panions, seeing  me  perfectly  recovered  from  my  fatigues,  told  me 
one  evening  that  they  intended  on  the  next  day  to  break  into  a 
house  on  the  Place  Graslin,  and  relied  on  my  going  with  them  : 
I  was  even  to  have  the  post  of  honour,  that  of  working  inside  with 
Mauger. 

But  I  did  not  intend  to  do  this,  and  thought  how  I  could  make 


i  io  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

use  of  the  circumstance  to  get  away  and  go  to  Paris,  where,  near 
my  family,  my  resources  would  not  fail  me ;  but  it  never  entered 
into  my  calculations  to  enrol  myself  in  a  band  of  thieves ;  for 
although  I  had  associated  with  robbers,  and  lived  by  my  wits,  I  felt 
an  invincible  repugnance  to  entering  on  a  career  of  crimes,  of  which 
early  experience  had  taught  me  the  perils  and  risks.  A  refusal 
would,  on  the  other  hand,  render  me  suspected  by  my  new  com- 
panions, who,  in  this  retreat,  secure  from  sight  or  hearing,  could 
knock  me  on  the  head  with  impunity,  and  send  me  to  keep  com- 
pany with  the  salmon  and  smelts  of  the  Loire ;  and  I  had  only  one 
course  to  take,  which  was  to  set  out  as  quickly  as  possible,  and 
this  I  resolved  on  doing. 

Having  exchanged  my  new  clothes  for  a  countryman's  frock  and 
eighteen  francs  to  boot,  I  left  Nantes,  carrying  at  the  end  of  a  stick 
a  basket  of  provisions,  which  gave  me  at  once  the  appearance  of 
an  inhabitant  of  the  environs. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Cholet — Arrival  at  Paris — Captain  Villedieu. 

ON  quitting  Nantes,  I  walked  for  a  day  and  two  nights  without 
stopping  at  any  village,  and  my  provisions  were  exhausted ;  still  I 
went  on  haphazard,  although  decided  on  reaching  Paris  or  the  sea- 
shore, hoping  to  get  to  sea  in  some  ship,  when  I  reached  the  first 
habitations  of  a  town  which  appeared  to  have  been  lately  the  scene 
of  a  combat.  The  greater  part  of  the  houses  were  nothing  but  a 
heap  of  rubbish,  blackened  by  fire,  and  all  that  surrounded  the 
place  had  been  entirely  destroyed.  Nothing  was  standing  but  the 
church  tower,  whence  the  clock  was  striking  the  hour  for  inhabi- 
tants who  no  longer  existed.  This  scene  of  desolation  presented 
at  the  same  time  the  most  whimsical  occurrences.  On  the  only 
piece  of  wall  which  remained  belonging  to  an  auberge  were  still 
the  words  '  Good  entertainment  for  man  and  horse ;' — there  the 
soldiers  were  watering  their  horses  in  the  holy-water  vessels ; — 
farther  on,  their  companions  were  dancing  to  the  tune  of  an  organ 
with  the  countrywomen,  who,  ruined  and  wretched,  had  prostituted 
themselves  to  the  Blues  (Republicans)  for  bread.  By  the  traces 
of  this  war  of  extermination  we  might  have  thought  ourselves  in 
the  midst  of  the  wilds  of  America,  or  the  oases  of  the  desert,  where 
barbarous  tribes  were  cutting  each  other's  throats  with  blind  fury. 
Yet  there  had  only  been  on  both  sides  Frenchmen  :  but  every 
species  of  fanaticism  made  rendezvous  there.  I  was  in  La  Vende'e, 
at  Cholet, 


CHOLET.  m 

The  mastei  of  a  wretched  cabaret,  thatched  with  broom,  where 
I  halted,  gave  me  my  cue,  by  asking  me  if  I  had  come  to  Cholet 
for  the  next  day's  market.  I  answered  in  the  affirmative,  much 
astonished  that  one  should  be  held  in  the  midst  of  these  ruins, 
and  even  that  the  farmers  of  the  environs  had  anything,  to  sell ; 
but  my  host  told  me  that  scarcely  anything  was  brought  to  this 
market  but  cattle  from  distant  districts ;  on  the  other  hand, 
although  no  one  had  yet  done  anything  to  repair  the  disasters  of 
the  war,  the  amnesty  was  nearly  terminated  by  General  Hoche, 
and  if  Republican  soldiers  were  still  found  in  the  country  it  was 
that  they  might  keep  down  the  chouans  (a  contraction  of  the  word 
chathuant,  a  screech-owl ;  a  title  given  to  parties  of  Vende'eans, 
and  afterwards  to  bands  formed  for  plunder,  who  ravaged  the 
western  part  of  France  subsequently  to  1793,  and  were  called  by 
this  name  because,  like  owls,  they  came  out  only  at  night),  who 
were  becoming  formidable. 

I  went  to  the  market  early  the  next  day,  and  thinking  to  take 
advantage  of  it,  I  accosted  a  cattle-dealer,  whose  face  was  familiar 
to  me,  asking  him  to  listen  to  me  for  a  moment  He  looked  at 
me  with  distrust,  taking  me  probably  for  a  spy,  but  I  hastened  to 
relieve  his  suspicions,  telling  him  that  it  was  only  a  personal  affair. 
We  then  entered  a  hovel  where  they  sold  brandy,  and  I  then  told 
him  that  having  deserted  from  the  36th  demi-brigade  to  see  my 
parents,  who  lived  at  Paris,  I  was  desirous  of  getting  some  situa- 
tion which  would  allow  me  to  reach  my  destination  without  fear 
of  arrest  This  good  fellow  told  me  that  he  had  no  situation  to 
offer  me,  but  that  if  I  would  drive  a  drove  of  oxen  as  far  as  Sceaux, 
I  might  go  with  him.  No  proposal  was  ever  accepted  with  more 
readiness,  and  I  entered  on  my  duties  instantly,  anxious  to  show 
my  new  master  all  the  return  I  could  testify  for  his  kindness. 

In  the  afternoon  he  sent  me  to  carry  a  letter  to  a  person  in  the 
town,  who  asked  me  if  my  master  had  desired  me  to  take  anything 
back  with  me ;  I  said  no.  *  Never  mind,'  said  the  person,  who 
was,  I  believe,  a  notary,  'take  him, this  bag  with  three  hundred 
francs.'  I  delivered  this  sum  to  the  cattle-dealer,  to  whom  my 
punctuality  gave  confidence.  We  set  out  next  day,  and  on  the 
third  morning  my  master,  calling  to  me,  said,  '  Louis,  canv  you 
write  ?' — '  Yes,  sir.'  '  Reckon  f — *  Yes,  sir.'  *  Keep  an  account  ?' 
— *  Yes,  sir.'  '  Ah,  well ;  as  I  must  go  out  of  the  road  to  see  some 
lean  beasts,  at  St.  Gauburge,  you  will  drive  the  oxen  on  to  Paris, 
with  Jacques  and  Saturnin  ;  you  will  be  head  man.'  He  then 
gave  me  his  instructions  and  left  us. 

By  reason  of  my  advancement,  I  no  longer  travelled  on  foot, 
which  was  a  great  relief  to  me  ;  for  the  drivers  of  cattle  are  always 


112  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

stifled  with  the  dust,  or  up  to  their  knees  in  mud,  which  increases 
as  they  proceed.  I  was,  besides,  better  paid  and  better  fed,  but  I 
did  not  abuse  these  advantages,  as  I  saw  many  other  head  drovers 
do  on  the  journey.  Whilst  the  food  of  the  animals  was  converted 
by  them  into  pullets,  or  legs  of  mutton,  or  exchanged  with  the 
innkeepers,  the  poor  brutes  grew  visibly  thinner. 

I  behaved  myself  most  faithfully,  so  that,  joining  us  at  Verneuil, 
my  master,  who  had  preceded  us,  complimented  me  on  the  state 
of  the  drove.  On  reaching  Sceaux,  my  beasts  were  worth  twenty 
francs  a-head  more  than  any  others,  and  I  had  spent  ninety  francs 
less  than  my  companions  for  my  travelling  expenses.  My  master, 
enchanted,  made  me  a  present  of  forty  francs,  and  cited  me  as 
the  Aristides  of  cattle  drovers,  and  I  was  in  some  sort  quite  an 
object  of  admiration  at  the  market  of  Sceaux,  and,  in  return,  my 
colleagues  would  willingly  have  knocked  me  on  the  head.  One 
of  them,  a  chap  of  Lower  Normandy,  famed  for  strength  and  skill, 
endeavoured  to  disgust  me  with  my  avocation,  by  taking  upon 
himself  to  inflict  the  popular  vengeance  upon  me  ;  but  what  could 
such  a  clumsy  yokel  do  against  the  pupil  of  the  renowned  Goupel  ? 
The  Low  Norman  cried  craven,  after  one  of  the  most  memorable 
boxing  matches  of  which  the  inhabitants  of  a  fat  cattle  market 
ever  preserved  a  remembrance. 

My  conquest  was  the  more  glorious,  as  I  had  testified  much 
forbearance,  and  had  only  consented  to  fight  when  it  would  have 
been  impossible  to  avoid  it.  My  master,  more  and  more  satisfied 
with  me,  wished  absolutely  to  engage  me  for  a  year,  as  foreman, 
promising  me  a  small  share  of  the  profits.  I  had  received  no 
news  of  my  mother ;  and  here  I  found  resources  which  I  was 
about  to  seek  at  Paris  ;  and,  besides,  my  new  dress  disguised  me 
so  much  that  I  felt  no  fear  of  detection  in  my  frequent  excursions 
to  Paris.  I  passed,  in  fact,  many  persons  of  my  acquaintance, 
who  paid  no  attention  to  me.  But  one  evening  as  I  was  passing 
along  the  Rue  Dauphine,  to  get  to  the  Barriere  d'Enfer,  some  one 
tapped  me  on  the  shoulder.  My  first  thought  was  to  run  for  it, 
without  turning  round,  being  aware  that,  whoever  thus  stops  you, 
relies  on  your  looking  back  to  seize  you ;  but  a  stoppage  of 
carriages  choked  up  the  passage.  I  therefore  waited  the  result, 
and  in  a  twinkling  discovered  that  it  was  a  false  alarm. 

The  person  who  had  so  much  alarmed  me  was  no  other  than 
Villedieu,  the  captain  of  the  i3th  chasseurs,  with  whom  I  had 
been  intimately  acquainted  at  Lille.  Although  surprised  to  see 
me  with  a  hat  covered  with  waxed  cloth,  a  smock-frock,  and 
leathern  gaiters,  he  testified  much  pleasure  at  the  meeting,  and 
invited  me  tQ  supper,  saying  that  he  had  some  marvellous  nar- 


CAPTAIN  VILLEDIEU.  \  1 3 

ratives  to  tell  me.  He  was  not  in  his  uniform,  but  this  did  not 
astonish  me,  as  the  officers  commonly  wore  common  clothes  when 
staying  in  Paris.  What  struck  me  most  was  his  uneasy  air  and 
excessive  paleness.  As  he  expressed  a  wish  to  sup  out  of  the 
barriers,  we  took  a  coach  which  conveyed  us  to  Sceaux. 

On  reaching  the  Grand  Cerf,  we  asked  for  a  private  room.  We 
were  scarcely  served  with  what  we  asked  for,  when  Villedieu, 
double-locking  the  door  and  putting  the  key  in  his  pocket,  said 
to  me,  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  and  with  a  wild  air,  '  My  friend,  I 
am  a  lost  man  !  lost !  undone  !  I  am  pursued,  and  you  must  get 
me  a  habit  similar  to  your  own.  If  you  want  it,  I  have  money, 
plenty  of  money,  and  we  will  start  for  Switzerland  together.  I 
know  your  skill  at  escapes,  and  you,  and  you  only,  can  extricate 
me.' 

This  commencement  did  not  place  me  upon  a  seat  of  velvet ; 
already  much  embarrassed  myself,  I  did  not  much  care  to  place 
myself  again  in  the  way  of  being  apprehended,  and  to  unite  my 
fortunes  with  those  of  a  man  hotly  pursued  might  lead  to  my  de- 
tection. This  reasoning,  which  I  made  to  myself,  decided  me  on 
being  wary  with  Villedieu ;  besides,  as  yet  I  did  not  know  exactly 
what  he  wished  to  do.  At  Lille,  I  had  seen  him  spending  much 
more  than  his  pay  ;  but  a  young  and  handsome  officer  has  so  many 
ways  of  procuring  money,  that  no  one  thinks  any  harm  of  that.  I 
was  then  greatly  astonished  at  the  following  details. 

'  I  will  not  speak  to  you  of  those  circumstances  in  my  life  which 
preceded  your  acquaintance  with  me ;  it  will  suffice  to  say  that,  as 
brave  and  intelligent  as  most,  and  backed  with  good  interest,  I 
found  myself  at  the  age  of  thirty-four  a  captain  of  chasseurs,  when 
I  met  you  at  Lille,  at  the  Cafe*  de  la  Montagne.  There  I  asso- 
ciated with  an  individual  whose  honest  appearance  prepossessed 
me  in  his  favour,  and  our  intimacy  ripened  into  so  close  a  friend- 
ship that  he  introduced  me  to  his  house.  It  was  one  replete  with 
comfort  and  elegance,  and  I  received  every  attention  and  token 
of  amity  ;  so  good  a  fellow  was  M.  Lemaire,  so  charming  a  woman 
was  Madame  Lemaire.  A  jeweller,  travelling  about  with  his 
articles  of  trade,  he  made  frequent  absences  of  six  or  eight  days ; 
but  still  I  visited  his  wife,  and  you  may  guess  that  I  soon  became 
her  lover.  Lemaire  did  not  perceive,  or  would  not  perceive  it.  I 
led,  to  be  sure,  a  most  agreeable  life,  when  one  morning  I  found 
Josephine  in  tears.  Her  husband,  she  told  me,  had  just  been  ap- 
prehended, with  his  clerk,  for  having  sold  unstamped  plate,  and  as 
it  was  probable  that  his  house  would  be  soon  visited,  all  its  con- 
tents must  be  speedily  removed.  The  most  valuable  goods  were 
then  packed  in  my  portmanteau,  and  conveyed  to  my  lodgings. 

8 


ii4  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

Josephine  then  entreated  me  to  go  to  Courtrai,  where  the  in- 
fluence  of  my  rank  might  be  of  avail  to  her  husband.  I  did  not 
hesitate  for  a  moment,  for  so  deeply  was  I  enamoured  of  this 
woman  that  I  would  have  given  up  the  exercise  of  my  faculties  if 
I  did  not  think  as  she  thought,  and  wish  what  she  wished. 

*  Having  obtained  my  colonel's  permission,  I  sent  for  horses  and 
a  post-chaise,  and  set  out  with  the  express  who  had  brought  the 
news  of  Lemaire's  arrest.    I  did  not  at  all  like  this  man's  face,  and 
what  prejudiced  me  against  him  was,  to  hear  him  thee  and  thou 
(tutoyer)  Josephine,  and  treat  her  with  much  familiarity.    Scarcely 
had  I  got  into  the  carriage,  when  he  installed  himself  at  ease  in 
one  corner  and  slept  till  we  reached  Menin,  where  I  stopped  to 
take  some  refreshment.     "  Captain,  I  do  not  wish  to  get  out,"  said 
he  familiarly,  and  rousing  himself;  "  be  so  good  as  to  bring  me  a 
glass  of  brandy."  Much  surprised  at  this  tone,  I  sent  what  he  asked 
for  by  the  waiting-maid,  who  returned  to  ire,  saying  that  he  would 
not  answer  her,  but  was  asleep.    I  went  to  the  chaise,  where  I  saw 
my  gentleman  motionless  in  his  corner,  his  face  being  covered  with 
a  handkerchief;  "  Are  you  asleep  ?"  said  I  in  a  low  tone.   "  No,"  he 
replied,  "  nor  do  I  wish  to  be  ;  but  why  the  devil  did  you  send  a 
servant  when  I  tell  you  that  I  do  not  wish  to  face  these  gentry  ?" 
I  gave  him  his  glass  of  brandy  and  we  started  again.     As  he  did 
not  appear  disposed  for  sleep,  I  asked  him  carelessly  his  reason  for 
preserving  so  strong  an  incognito,  and  concerning  the  business 
which  led  me  to  Courtrai,  of  which  I  knew  no  details.     He  then 
told  me,  that  Lemaire  was  accused  of  belonging  to  a  band  of 
Chauffeurs,  and  added,  that  he  had  not  told  Josephine,  for  fear  of 
increasing  her  affliction.     We  drew  near  Courtrai,  and  about  four 
hundred  paces  from  the  town  my  companion  called  to  the  postilion 
to  stop  for  an  instant ;  he  then  put  on  a  wig,  concealed  in  the 
crown  of  his  hat,  stuck  a  large  plaster  on  his  left  eye,  took  from 
under  his  waistcoat  a  brace  of  pistols,  primed  them,  returned  them 
to  the  belt  under  his  vest,  opened  the  door,  jumped  out  and  dis- 
appeared. 

*  All  these  manoeuvres,  which  were  perfect  mysteries  to  me,  only 
served  to  create  great  uneasiness.  Could  it  be  that  Lemaire's  arrest 
was  only  a  pretext  ?     Was  he  laying  a  snare  for  me  ?     Did  he  wish 
me  to  play  some  part  in  an  intrigue  of  any  kind  ?     I  could  not 
explain  it  to  myself,  nor  think  it  was  so.     I  was  still  very  uncertain 
what  to  do,  and  was  pacing  the  chamber  with  long  strides  at  the 
Hotel  du  Damier,  where  my  mysterious  companion  had  advised 
me  to  alight,  when  the  door  suddenly  opened  and  I  saw  Josephine. 
At  her  appearance  all  suspicions  vanished.     Her  abrupt  entrance, 
her  hurried  journey  made  without  me,  and  some  hours  after,  whilst 


CAPTAIN  VILLEDIEU.  115 

&m,  might  easily  have  had  part  of  my  chaise  and  my  protection, 
ought  rather,  perhaps,  to  have  excited  them.  But  I  was  in  love, 
and  when  Josephine  told  me  that  she  could  not  endure  an 
absence,  I  thought  her  argument  and  explanation  admirable  and 
unanswerable.  It  was  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  Josephine 
dressed  herself,  and,  going  out,  did  not  return  till  ten  o'clock. 
She  was  accompanied  by  a  man  dressed  like  a  peasant  of  Lie*ge, 
but  whose  manner  and  expression  of  countenance  did  not  agree 
with  his  costume. 

1  Some  refreshments  were  brought  in,  and  the  servants  then 
leaving  us,  Josephine,  immediately  throwing  herself  on  my  neck, 
begged  me  to  save  her  husband,  repeating,  that  it  only  depended 
on  me  to  do  this.  I  promised  all  she  asked,  and  then  the  pre- 
tended peasant,  who  had  till  this  time  been  perfectly  silent,  spoke 
in  very  good  language,  and  unfolded  to  me  what  I  was  required  to 
do.  Lemaire,  he  said,  reached  Courtrai,  with  several  travellers 
whom  he  did  not  know,  and  had  only  met  on  the  road,  when  they 
were  surrounded  by  a  body  of  gendarmes,  who  summoned  them  to 
surrender.  The  strangers  stood  on  the  defensive,  and  pistol  shots 
were  exchanged,  and  Lemaire,  who  with  his  clerk  had  remained 
neuter  on  the  field  of  battle,  had  been  seized  without  making  any 
effort  to  escape,  feeling  a  consciousness  of  innocence,  and  that  he 
had  nothing  to  fear.  But  very  serious  charges  had  been  produced 
against  him ;  he  was  unable  to  give  a  very  precise  account  of  his 
business  in  the  district,  because,  said  the  assumed  countryman,  he 
was  then  smuggling ;  besides,  they  had  found  in  a  bush  two  pair 
of  pistols,  which  it  was  asserted  had  been  thrown  there  by  himself 
and  clerk,  at  the  moment  they  were  apprehended  ;  and,  finally,  a 
woman  swore  that  she  had  seen  him  the  week  before  on  the  road 
to  Ghent,  with  the  identical  travellers,  whom  he  said  he  had  not 
met  before  the  morning  of  the  engagement  with  the  gendarmes. 

*  "  Under  these  circumstances,"  added  my  peasant  interlocutor, 
"we  must  find  means  of  proving — 

'"ist.  That  Lemaire  has  only  left  Lille  three  days,  and  that 
he  had  then  been  there  for  the  entire  month  previously. 

1  "  2nd.  That  he  never  carries  pistols. 

'  "  3rd.  That  before  starting  he  received  sixty  louis  from  some 
person." 

*  This  confidence  ought  to  have  opened  my  eyes  as  to  the  nature 
of  the  steps  required  of  me;  but,  intoxicated  with   Josephine's 
caresses,  I  drove  away  all  thoughts,  and  compelled  myself  not  to 
think  of  what  might  be  the  results.     We  all  three  set  out  the  same 
night  for  Lille,  and  on  arriving  I  ran  about  all  day  making  the 
necessary  arrangements,  and  by  evening  all  my  witnesses  were 

8 — 3 


n6  MEMOIRS  OF  V1DOCQ. 

ready.  Their  depositions  had  no  sooner  reached  Courtrai,  than 
Lemaire  and  his  clerk  were  set  at  liberty.  We  may  imagine  their  joy; 
and  it  was  in  fact  so  excessive,  that  I  could  not  help  thinking  that 
the  case  must  have  been  critical  indeed,  if  their  liberation  could  occa- 
tion  such  transports.  The  day  after  his  arrival,  dining  with  Lemaire, 
I  found  in  my  napkin  a  rouleau  of  a  hundred  louis.  I  was  weak 
enough  to  accept  them,  and  from  that  hour  my  ruin  was  decreed. 

*  Playing  high,  treating  my  comrades,  and  having  habits  of  luxury, 
I  soon  spent  this  sum.     Lemaire  daily  made  me  fresh  offers  of 
service,  by  which  I  profited  to  borrow  several  sums  of  him,  amount- 
ing to  two  thousand  francs,  without  being  any  the  richer  or  more 
moderate.     Fifteen  hundred  francs  borrowed  of  a  Jew,  on  a  post 
obit   for  a   thousand    crowns,    and    twenty-five   louis  which  the 
quarter-master  advanced  me,  disappeared  with  the  same  alacrity. 
At  last  I  spent  even  a  sum  of  five  hundred  francs  which  my  lieu- 
tenant had  begged  me  to  keep  for  him  until  the  arrival  of  his  horse- 
dealer,  to  whom  he  owed  this  sum.     This  I  lost  on  one  evening 
at  the  Caf£  de  la  Montagne,  with  a  man  named  Carre',  who  had 
already  ruined  half  the  regiment, 

*  The  night  that  followed  was  a  fearful  one ;  agitated  by  the 
shame  of  having  abused   the  confidence   of  the   lieutenant,  by 
squandering  what  was  his  little  all,  enraged  at  being  duped,  and 
tormented  with  the  desire  of  still  playing  on,  I  was  twenty  times 
tempted  to  blow  my  brains  out.     When  the  trumpets  sounded  the 
turn  out,  I  had  not  closed  my  eyes ;  it  was  my  week,  and  I  went 
out  to  go  through  the  examination  of  the  stables  ;  the  first  person  I 
met  was  the  lieutenant,  who  told  me  that  the  horse-dealer  had 
arrived,  and  he  would  send  his  servant  for  the  five  hundred  francs. 
My  agitation  was  so  great  that  I  answered  I  scarcely  knew  what, 
and  the  obscurity  of  the  stable  alone  prevented  him  from  observing 
my  confusion.     There  was  not  a  moment  to  lose,  if  I  would  not 
forfeit  my  good  name  with  my  superiors  and  brother  officers. 

*  In  this  horrid  situation  I  did  not  even  think  of  applying  to 
Lemaire,  so  much  I  already  imagined  had  I  abused  his  friendship ; 
but  I  had  no  other  resource,  and  at  length,  I  resolved  on  writing 
him  a  note,  stating  the  embarrassment  in  which  I  was  placed.     He 
came  to  me  instantly,  and  laying  on  the  table  two  gold  snuff-boxes, 
three  watches,  and  twelve  engraved  spoons,  he  told  me  that  he  had 
no  ready  money  at  the  moment,  but  that  I  could  easily  procure  it 
by  taking  these  valuables  to  the  pawnbrokers,  and  he  left  them  at 
my  disposal.     After  overwhelming  him  with  thanks,   I  sent  the 
whole  to  be  pledged    by  my  servant,  who  brought  me  twelve 
hundred  francs  for  them.    I  first  paid  the  lieutenant,  and  then,  led 
by  my  unlucky  star,  I  flew  to  the  Caf£  de  la  Montagne,  when 


CAPTAIN  VILLEDIEU.  117 

Carre,  after  much  persuasion,  was  induced  to  give  me  my  revenge, 
and  the  remaining  seven  hundred  francs  passed  from  my  purse 
to  his. 

'Aghast  at  this  stroke  of  fortune,  I  wandered  for  some  time 
about  the  streets  of  Lille,  whilst  a  thousand  mad  ideas  flashed 
through  my  brain.  It  was  in  this  mood  that  I  imperceptibly  drew 
near  to  Lemaire's  house,  which  I  entered  mechanically  :  they  were 
sitting  down  to  dinner,  and  Josephine,  struck  by  my  extreme  pale- 
ness, questioned  me  with  interest  concerning  my  affairs  and  my 
health.  I  was  in  one  of  those  dejected  moods  when  the  con- 
sciousness of  his  weakness  makes  the  most  reserved  more  com- 
municative :  I  confessed  all  my  extravagances,  adding,  that  within 
two  months  I  must  pay  more  than  four  thousand  francs,  of  which 
I  had  not  a  single  sous. 

*  At  these  words  Lemaire  looked  fixedly  at  me,  with  a  gaze  I  can 
never  forget  all  my  life,  be  it  long  or  short.     "  Captain,"  said  he, 
"  I  will  not  forsake  you  in  your  difficulties,  but  one  confidence 
deserves  another  :  nothing  should  be  kept  from  a  man  who  has 

saved  you  from "  and  with  a  horrid  smile  he  passed  his  hand 

across  his  throat.     I  trembled  and  looked  at  Josephine.     She  was 
perfectly  calm  !     It  was  a  horrible  moment !     Without  seeming  to 
notice  my  perturbation,  Lemaire  continued  his  fearful  confidence. 
I  learnt  that  he  was  one  of  Sallambier's  band,  and  that,  when  the 
gendarmes  had  apprehended  him  near  Courtrai,  they  were  return- 
ing from  a  party  of  plunder  in  a  country  house  in  the  vicinity  of 
Ghent.     The  servants  had  defended  themselves,  and  three  had 
been  killed,  and  two  wretched  women  were  hung  up  in  a  cellar. 
The  valuables  I  had  pawned  were  the  produce  of  the  robbery  which 
had  followed  these  atrocities  !     After  having  explained  to  me  how 
he  had  been   apprehended  near  Courtrai,  whilst  making  off,  Le- 
maire added,  that  henceforward  it  was  only  for  me  to  repair  my 
losses  and  better  my  fortune  by  accompanying  him  in  two  or  three 
expeditions. 

*  1  was  annihilated  !    Up  to  this  period  the  conduct  of  Lemaire, 
the  circumstances  of  his  arrest,  the  nature  of  the  service  which  I 
had  rendered  him,  appeared  to  me  very  suspicious ;  but  I  carefully 
drove  from  my  thoughts  all  that  could  convert  my  suspicions  into 
reality.     As  if  tormented  by  a  frightful  nightmare,  I  waited  till  I 
should  awake,  and  my  waking  was  more  horrible  still 

'"Well,"  said  Josephine,  with  an  inquiring  tone,  "you  do  not 
answer — Ah  !  I  see,  we  have  lost  your  friendship  ;  and  I  shall  die  !" 
She  hurst  into  tears  :  my  head  was  in  a  whirl :  forgetful  of  Lemaire's 
presence,  I  threw  myself  on  my  knees  like  a  madman,  crying  out, 
"  I  quit  you  ?  no,  never,  never  1"  Tears  choked  my  utterance,  and 


ug  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

I  saw  a  tear  in  Josephine's  eyes,  but  she  instantly  resumed  he? 
firmness.  For  Lemaire,  he  offered  us  orange-flower  water  with  as 
much  calmness  as  a  cavalier  presents  an  ice  to  his  partner  at  a 
ball. 

'  I  was  thus  enlisted  in  this  band,  the  terror  of  the  departments 
of  the  north,  la  Lys  and  1'Escaut.  In  less  than  fifteen  days  I  was 
introduced  to  Sallambier,  in  whom  I  recognised  the  peasant  of 
Liege  ;  to  Duhamel,  Chopine,  Calandrin,  and  the  principal  Chauf- 
feurs. The  first  business  in  which  I  took  a  share  was  in  tbe 
environs  of  Douai.  Duhamel's  mistress,  who  accompanied  us, 
introduced  us  to  the  house,  in  which  she  had  been  waiting-maid. 
The  dogs  having  been  poisoned  by  a  wood-cutter  employed  on 
the  premises,  we  only  waited  until  the  family  should  be  asleep  to 
commence  our  operations.  No  locks  could  resist  Calandrin,  and 
we  reached  the  drawing-room  with  the  utmost  silence.  The  family, 
consisting  of  the  father,  mother,  great  aunt,  two  young  persons, 
and  a  relation  on  a  visit,  were  playing  at  Buillotte.  We  only  heard 
the  words,  "  Pass,  I  hold ;  I  play  Charlemagne,"  etc. ;  when  Sallam- 
bier, opening  the  door  quickly,  appeared,  followed  by  ten  men; 
with  blackened  faces,  and  pistols  and  daggers  in  their  hands.  At 
this  sight  the  cards  fell  from  the  hands  of  all ;  the  females  shrieked 
for  mercy,  until,  with  a  motion  of  his  hand,  Sallambier  compelled. 
silence,  whilst  one  of  our  band,  jumping  like  a  monkey  on  the 
mantel-piece,  cut  the  ropes  of  the  bells.  The  women  fainted,  but 
were  not  heeded.  The  master  of  the  house  alone  retained  some 
presence  of  mind.  After  having  opened  his  mouth  at  least  twenty 
times  without  uttering  a  word,  he  at  length  contrived  to  ask  what 
we  wanted  ?  "  Money,"  said  Sallambier,  whose  voice  seemed  to  me 
entirely  changed  ;  and  taking  the  candle  from  the  card-table,  he 
made  signs  to  the  master  of  the  house  to  follow  him  into  the  next 
room,  where  he  knew  that  the  money  and  jewels  were  deposited. 
It  was  precisely  Don  Juan  preceding  the  statue  of  the  Commandant. 

'  We  remained  in  the  dark,  motionless  at  our  posts,  only  hearing; 
the  stifled  sobs  of  the  females,  the  chink  of  money,  and  these 
words,  "  More,  more,"  which  Sallambier  repeated  from  time  to 
time  in  a  sepulchral  tone.  At  the  end  of  twenty  minutes  he  re- 
turned with  a  red  handkerchief,  tied  together  by  the  corners,  and 
filled  with  pieces  of  money  ;  the  jewels  were  in  his  pockets.  To 
neglect  nothing,  they  look  from  the  old  aunt  and  the  mother  their 
ear-rings,  as  well  as  the  watch  of  the  relation  who  had  so  well 
chosen  the  time  to  make  his  visit.  We  set  out  at  last,  after  having 
carefully  locked  up  the  whole  party,  without  the  servants,  who 
had  been  for  some  time  in  bed,  being  at  all  disturbed  or  aware  of 
the  attack  on  the  chateau. 


CAPTAIN  VILLEDIEU.  119 

'  I  had  a  share  also  in  several  other  enterprises,  more  hazardous 
than  that  I  now  mention.  We  were  resisted,  or  else  the  pro- 
prietors had  concealed  their  money  ;  to  make  them  produce  it  they 
were  put  to  most  dreadful  tortures.  At  first  they  confined  them- 
selves to  burning  the  soles  of  their  feet  with  red-hot  shovels  ;  but 
adopting  more  expeditious  measures,  they  began  to  tear  out  the 
nails  of  those  who  were  obstinate,  or  blow  them  as  large  as  balloons 
with  bellows.  Some  of  these  unfortunates,  having  really  no  money 
as  was  supposed,  died  in  the  midst  of  these  tortures.  See,  my 
friend,  on  what  a  career  I  had  entered ;  I,  an  officer  well  born,  for 
whom  twelve  years  of  active  service,  some  exploits  of  bravery,  and 
the  testimony  of  my  comrades,  had  created  a  universal  esteem, 
which  I  had  ceased  to  deserve  for  a  very  long  time,  and  which  I 
was  about  to  lose  for  ever.' 

Here  Villedieu  paused,  and  dropped  his  head  upon  his  breast, 
like  one  overwhelmed  by  his  recollections.  I  left  him  undisturbed 
for  a  moment,  but  the  names  he  mentioned  were  too  well  known 
to  me  not  to  excite  the  most  lively  curiosity  in  my  mind  to  hear 
the  whole  of  his  recital.  A  few  glasses  of  champagne  restored  his 
energy,  and  he  thus  continued  : — 

'  But  crimes  multiplied  so  alarmingly,  that,  the  gendarmes  not 
being  sufficiently  powerful  to  check  them,  columns  of  the  military 
were  taken  from  the  various  garrisons.  One  was  placed  under  my 
command.  You  may  suppose  that  this  measure  had  an  entirely 
contrary  effect  to  that  intended  :  for,  warned  by  me,  the  Chauffeurs 
avoided  the  places  that  I  was  to  watch  with  my  division.  Thus 
matters  went  on  worse  than  ever,  and  the  authorities  were  at  a  loss 
what  plans  to  adopt,  when  they  learned  that  the  majority  of  the 
Chauffeurs  resided  at  Lille,  and  the  order  was  given  for  redoubling 
the  superintendence  (surveillance;  at  the  gates.  We  found  means, 
however,  to  render  all  these  precautions  useless.  Sallambier  pro- 
cured at  a  broker's  of  the  town,  who  clothed  a  regiment,  fifteen 
uniforms  of  the  i3th  Chasseurs,  and  disguised  with  them  that 
number  of  Chauffeurs,  who,  with  me  at  their  head,  went  out  at 
twilight,  as  if  going  on  a  detachment  of  a  secret  enterprise. 

'  Although  this  stratagem  completely  answered,  I  thought  I  per- 
ceived myself  to  be  the  object  of  particular  surveillance.  A  report 
spread  about  that  there  were  men  in  the  vicinity  of  Lille  disguised 
as  horse  chasseurs.  The  colonel  appeared  to  mistrust  me,  and 
one  of  my  brother  officers  was  appointed  alternately  to  direct  the 
moving  columns  before  intrusted  to  my  charge  alone.  Instead  of 
giving  me  the  watchword,  as  to  the  other  officers  of  the  gen- 
darmes, I  was  not  informed  of  it  until  the  moment  of  departure. 
At  length  I  was  so  directly  accused,  that  I  was  under  the  necessity 


120  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

of  inquiring  of  the  colonel,  who,  without  any  disguise,  told  me 
that  I  was  reported  to  have  communication  with  the  Chauffeurs. 
I  defended  myself  as  well  as  I  could,  and  thus  matters  remained, 
only  that  I  left  the  service  of  the  moving  columns,  which  began 
to  be  so  active  that  the  Chauffeurs  scarcely  durst  show  them- 
selves. 

4  Sallambier,  unwilling  to  remain  long  in  inaction,  redoubled  his 
audacity  in  proportion  as  obstacles  multiplied  about  us.  In  one 
night  he  committed  three  robberies  in  the  same  district.  But  the 
proprietors  of  the  first  of  the  houses  attacked,  having  divested 
themselves  of  their  gags  and  bonds,  gave  the  alarm.  The  tocsin  was 
sounded  for  two  leagues  round,  and  the  Chauffeurs  only  owed 
their  safety  to  the  fleetness  of  their  horses.  The  two  brothers 
Sallambier  were  hotly  followed,  and  it  was  only  on  approaching 
Bruges  that  they  distanced  their  pursuers,  In  a  large  village 
where  they  were,  they  hired  a  chaise  and  two  horses,  to  go,  as  they 
said,  some  leagues,  and  return  in  the  evening. 

*  A  coachman  drove  them,  whom,  on  getting  to  the  water's  edge, 
the  elder  Sallambier  struck  from  behind  with  his  knife,  and 
knocked  him  from  his  seat.  The  two  brothers  then  threw  him 
into  the  sea,  hoping  that  the  waves  would  retain  the  corpse. 
Masters  of  the  conveyance,  they  went  on  their  journey,  when, 
towards  the  close  of  the  day,  they  met  a  countryman  who  bade 
them  good  evening.  As  they  did  not  answer,  the  man  approached 
saying,  "  Ah  !  Vandeck,  do  you  not  know  me  ?  It  is  I — Joseph." 
Sallambier  then  told  him  that  he  had  hired  the  carriage  for  three 
days  without  a  conductor.  The  tone  of  this  answer,  the  condition 
of  the  horses,  covered  with  sweat,  and  which  their  master  would 
never  have  let  without  a  driver,  all  made  the  interrogator  sus- 
picious. Without  prolonging  the  conversation,  he  ran  to  the  ad- 
jacent village  and  gave  the  alarm ;  seven  or  eight  men  on  horse- 
back pursued  the  carriage,  which  they  soon  perceived  travelling 
slowly  along.  They  increased  their  speed  and  overtook  it  It 
was  empty.  Rather  disappointed,  they  drove  it  into  an  auberge 
where  they  intended  to  pass  the  night ;  but  scarcely  were  they 
seated,  when  a  great  noise  was  heard,  occasioned  by  a  crowd  con- 
veying before  the  magistrate  two  travellers  accused  of  the  murder 
of  a  man  whom  some  fishermen  had  found  with  his  throat  cut  on 
the  sea-shore.  All  ran  out,  and  Joseph  recognised  the  individuals 
whom  he  had  seen  in  the  carriage,  and  which  they  had  quitted 
because  the  horses  could  go  no  farther.  They  (the  two  Sallambiers) 
appeared  greatly  disconcerted  when  confronted  with  Joseph. 
Their  identity  was  soon  settled.  Under  a  suspicion  that  they 
might  belong  to  some  band  of  Chauffeurs,  they  were  transferred 


VILLEDIEU  TAKEN.  121 

to   Lille,   where   they   were   recognised    on  reaching    the   Petit 
Hotel. 

'  There  the  elder  Sallambier,  pressed  by  the  agents  of  police, 
denounced  all  his  companions,  and  pointed  out  when  and  where 
they  might  be  taken.  In  consequence  of  this  information  forty- 
three  persons  of  both  sexes  were  apprehended.  Among  them  were 
Lemaire  and  his  wife.  At  the  same  time  an  order  of  arrest  was 
issued  against  me ;  but,  informed  by  a  quartermaster  of  gendarmes, 
whom  I  had  served,  I  escaped  and  reached  Paris,  where  I  have 
been  these  ten  days.  When  I  met  you  I  was  looking  for  the  house 
of  an  old  sweetheart,  where  I  intended  to  conceal  myself,  or  obtain 
some  means  of  escape  to  a  foreign  country,  but  I  am  now  easy, 
since  I  meet  with  Vidocq.' 


CHAPTER  XL 

Journey  to   Arras— Father    Lambert— Depart   for  Holland — The    mutiny- 
Catastrophe. 

THE  confidence  of  Villedieu  flattered  me  very  much ;  but  yet  I 
thought  my  rencontre  with  him  might  lead  me  into  danger.  I  there- 
fore told  him  a  false  tale  when  he  inquired  about  my  mode  of  life 
and  domicile.  For  the  sam,e  reason  I  took  care  not  to  be  at  the 
rendezvous  which  he  had  appointed  for  the  next  day;  for  it 
would  have  been  attended  with  much  risk  to  myself  and  no  ad- 
vantage to  him.  On  leaving  him,  at  eleven  o'clock  in  the  evening, 
I  took  the  precaution  of  making  many  detours  before  I  entered  my 
auberge,  for  fear  of  being  dogged  by  any  police  agents.  My  master, 
who  had  gone  to  bed,  aroused  me  early  in  the  morning  to  tell  me 
to  set  out  with  him  for  Nogent  le  Rotrou,  whence  we  were  to  pro- 
ceed to  his  own  farms,  situated  in  the  environs  of  this  city. 

In  four  days  we  arrived  at  the  termination  of  our  journey,  and 
although  received  in  the  family  as  a  hardworking  and  faithful 
servant,  I  still  persisted  in  the  intention  I  had  formed  for  some 
time  of  returning  to  my  own  country,  whence  I  received  neither 
information  nor  money.  On  returning  to  Paris  with  some  cattle, 
I  told  my  master  of  my  determination,  and  he  let  me  go  with  much 
reluctance.  On  quitting  him,  I  entered  a  cafe  in  the  Place  du 
Chatelet,  to  procure  a  porter  to  fetch  my  luggage,  and  there  taking 
up  a  newspaper,  the  first  intelligence  that  met  my  eyes  was  an 
account  of  Villedieu's  capture.  He  had  not  allowed  himself  to  be 
taken  before  he  had  prostrated  two  of  the  agents  of  police  who 
had  orders  to  apprehend  him,  and  was  himself  severely  wounded. 
On  being  executed,  two  months  afterwards,  at  Bruges,  the  last  of 
e'ght>  en,  all  his  accomplices,  he  contemplated  their  headless  and 


122  M£MOJ&S  OF  VLDOCQ. 

bleeding  bodies  as  they  fell  one  by  one  by  his  side,  with  a  calmness 
and  fortitude  that  never  wavered  for  an  instant. 

This  circumstance  gave  me  reason  to  be  satisfied  with  the  step 
that  I  had  taken.  Had  I  stayed  with  the  cattle-dealer,  I  was  under 
the  necessity  of  coming  twice  a  week  to  Paris ;  and  the  police,  di- 
recting its  attention  against  all  plots  and  foreign  agents,  was  assum- 
ing an  extent  and  energy  which  might  have  brought  detection  on 
me,  as  they  minutely  watched  individuals  who,  perpetually  called 
by  business  from  the  departments  of  the  west,  might  serve  as  agents 
between  the  Chouans  and  their  friends  in  the  capital.  I  therefore 
set  out  without  delay,  and  on  the  third  day  reached  Arras,  which 
I  entered  in  the  evening,  at  the  time  when  the  workmen  were  re- 
turning home  from  labour.  I  did  not  go  directly  to  my  father's 
house,  but  to  one  of  my  aunts,  who  informed  my  parents.  They 
thought  me  dead,  not  having  received  any  of  my  last  letters  ;  and 
1  have  never  been  able  to  discover  how  and  by  whom  they  were 
intercepted.  Having  related  all  my  adventures  at  length,  I  asked 
news  of  my  family,  which  necessarily  led  to  my  inquiring  for  my 
wife.  I  was  told  that  my  father  had  for  some  time  received  her 
at  his  house,  but  that  her  conduct  was  so  scandalous,  that  she  had 
been  disgracefully  expelled  thence.  She  was,  I  was  informed, 
pregnant  by  an  attorney,  who  supplied  most  of  her  wants ;  but 
that  for  some  time  nothing  had  been  heard  of  her,  and  they  had 
ceased  to  trouble  themselves  concerning  her. 

I  gave  myself  no  care  about  her,  for  I  had  matters  of  much 
greater  import  which  demanded  my  attention.  I  might  be  dis- 
covered at  any  moment ;  and  if  apprehended  at  my  parents'  house 
they  would  be  involved  in  difficulties.  It  was  imperative  on  me 
to  find  an  asylum  where  the  vigilance  of  the  police  was  not  so 
active  as  at  Arras,  and  I  threw  my  eyes  upon  a  village  in  the 
vicinity,  Ambercourt,  where  there  resided  a  quondam  Carmelite 
friar,  a  friend  of  my  father,  who  agreed  to  receive  me.  At  this 
period  (1798)  priests  were  compelled  still  to  say  mass  in  secret, 
although  direct  hostilities  towards  them  had  ceased.  Father 
Lambert,  my  host,  celebrated  his  Divine  functions  in  a  barn  ;  and 
as  he  had  no  assistance  but  from  an  old  man,  feeble  and  impotent, 
I  offered  to  fulfil  the  duties  of  sacristan,  which  I  did  so  satis- 
factorily, that  one  would  have  supposed  it  had  been  my  calling  all 
the  days  of  my  existence.  I  also  became  Father  Lambert's  as- 
sistant in  giving  lessons  to  the  children  of  the  neighbourhood.  My 
skill  in  teaching  made  some  noise  in  the  district,  for  I  had  taken 
an  excellent  method  to  advance  my  pupils  rapidly ;  I  traced  the 
letters  with  a  lead  pencil,  which  they  wrote  over  with  the  pen,  and 
the  Indian-rubber  effected  the  rest  The  parents  were  delighted; 


A  SEVERE  PUNISHMENT.  123 

only  it  was  rather  difficult  for  my  scholars  to  perform  without 
their  master ;  but  the  Artesian  peasants,  however  cunning  in  the 
common  transactions  of  business,  were  good  enough  not  to  find 
this  out. 

This  sort  of  life  was  rather  agreeable  to  me.  Clothed  as  a 
wandering  friar,  and  tolerated  by  the  authorities,  I  had  no  fear 
of  detection  or  suspicion  :  on  the  other  hand,  my  animal  tastes, 
which  I  have  always  held  in  due  consideration,  were  well  supplied, 
the  parents  sending  us  perpetually  beer,  poultry,  and  fruit  I  had 
in  my  classes  some  pretty  peasant  girls,  who  were  very  teachable. 
All  went  on  well  for  some  time,  but  at  length  a  distrust  of  me  was 
evinced ;  I  was  watched,  and  it  was  discovered  that  I  pushed  my 
instructions  occasionally  rather  too  far,  and  complaint  was  made  to 
Father  Lambert,  who  told  me  of  the  charges  against  me,  which  I 
stoutly  denied.  The  complainants  were  silenced,  but  redoubled 
their  vigilance  ;  and  one  night,  when  impelled  by  classic  zeal,  I 
was  about  to  give  a  lesson  in  a  hayloft  to  a  female  scholar  about 
sixteen  years  of  age,  I  was  seized  by  four  brewers'  men,  dragged 
into  a  hop-ground,  stripped  of  my  clothes,  and  scourged  till  the 
blood  flowed  copiously,  with  rods  of  nettles  and  thistles.  The  pain 
was  so  acute  that  I  lost  my  senses,  and  on  reviving,  found  myself 
in  the  streets,  naked,  and  covered  with  blisters  and  blood. 

What  was  to  be  done  ?  To  return  to  Father  Lambert  would  be 
to  incur  fresh  dangers.  The  night  was  not  much  advanced,  and 
although  eaten  up  with  excess  of  fever,  I  determined  to  go  on  to 
Mareuil,  to  an  uncle's  house,  and  arrived  there  at  two  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  worn  out  with  fatigue,  and  only  covered  with  a 
ragged  mat  which  I  found  near  a  pond.  After  having  laughed 
unsparingly  at  my  mishap,  they  rubbed  my  body  all  over  with 
cream  mixed  with  oil ;  and  at  the  end  of  eight  days  I  set  out  quite 
well  for  Arras,  but  it  was  impossible  for  me  to  remain  there.  The 
police  might  get  information  at  some  unlucky  moment  that  I  was 
there,  and  I  therefore  decided  on  starting  for  Holland,  and  fixing 
myself  there,  taking  with  me  a  supply  of  money,  which  enabled  me 
to  remain  at  my  ease  until  something  should  occur  that  would 
^employ  me  usefully. 

I  passed  through  Brussels  (where  I  learnt  that  the  Baroness 
d'l had  settled  in  London),  Anvers,  and  Breda,  and  then  em- 
barked for  Rotterdam,  in  which  city  I  put  up  at  an  inn  that  had 
been  specially  recommended  to  me.  I  there  met  with  a  French- 
man who  was  remarkably  attentive  and  civil  to  me,  and  frequently 
invited  me  to  dinner.  I  received  all  his  advances  with  mistrust, 
knowing  that  all  means  were  resorted  to  by  the  Dutch  Government 
*to  recruit  their  navy.  In  spite  of  all  my  caution,  my  companion 


124  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

contrived  to  intoxicate  me  with  a  particular  liquor,  and  on  the  next 
morning  I  awoke  on  board  a  Dutch  brig-of-war.  All  doubt  was  at 
an  end ;  intemperance  had  given  me  up  as  a  prey  to  the  (  sellers 
of  souls/ 

Lying  near  the  shrouds,  I  was  reflecting  on  my  singular  destiny, 
which  multiplied  so  many  incidents  of  my  wayward  career,  when 
one  of  the  crew,  pushing  me  with  his  foot,  desired  me  to  rise  and 
get  on  my  sailor's  clothes.  I  pretended  not  to  understand  him, 
and  then  the  boatswain  gave  me  the  same  orders  in  French.  On 
my  replying  that  I  was  not  a  sailor,  since  I  had  signed  no  agree- 
ment, he  seized  a  rope's  end  to  strike  me  with  ;  on  which,  I  grasped 
a  knife  belonging  to  a  sailor,  who  was  breakfasting  at  the  foot  of 
the  mainmast,  and,  placing  my  back  against  a  gun,  I  swore  I  would 
rip  up  the  first  man  who  should  assault  me.  This  occasioned 
much  disturbance  in  the  ship,  and  brought  up  the  captain,  who 
was  a  man  about  forty,  of  good  appearance,  and  whose  manners 
were  free  from  that  coarseness  so  usual  with  seafaring  people. 
He  listened  to  me  with  kindness,  which  was  all  he  could  do,  for 
it  was  not  in  his  power  to  change  the  maritime  organization  of  his 
government 

We  had  then  on  board  men  whose  inclinations  and  habits  of  life 
were  so  totally  foreign  from  naval  service,  that  the  very  idea  of 
compelling  them  to  enter  it  was  essentially  ridiculous.  Of  the  two 
hundred  individuals  pressed  like  myself,  there  were  not  perhaps 
twenty  who  had  ever  set  foot  on  shipboard  before.  The  majority 
had  been  carried  off  by  main  force,  or  trepanned  by  drunkenness : 
they  had  inveigled  others  by  a  promise  of  a  free  passage  to  Batavia, 
where  they  wished  to  settle  ;  amongst  these  were  two  Frenchmen, 
one  a  book-keeper  from  Burgundy,  and  the  other  a  gardener  of 
Lemosin,  who,  it  is  evident,  were  admirably  calculated  to  make 
sailors.  To  console  us,  the  crew  told  us  that,  for  fear  of  desertion, 
we  should  not  go  ashore  for  six  months. 

To  me,  who  had  so  long  intended  to  enter  the  navy,  the  situa- 
tion was  not  so  repugnant,  if  I  had  not  been  constrained  to  it,  and  if 
I  had  not  had  in  perspective  the  slavery  which  threatened  me;  added 
to  which,  was  the  ill-treatment  of  the  boatswain,  who  could  not 
forgive  my  first  essay  with  him.  On  the  least  false  manoeuvre  or 
mistake,  the  rope's  end  descended  on  my  back  in  a  style  so  argu- 
mentative and  convincing,  that  I  even  regretted  the  cudgel  of  the 
galley-sergeant  at  the  Bagne.  I  was  in  despair,  and  twenty  times 
resolved  to  let  fall  from  the  maintop  a  wooden  pulley  on  the  head 
of  my  tormentor,  or  else  to  fling  him  into  the  sea  when  I  was  on 
the  watch.  I  should  certainly  have  done  one  or  the  other  of  these, 
if  the  lieutenant,  who  had  taken  a  liking  to  me  because  I  taught 


THE  MUTINY.  125 

him  to  fence,  had  not  in  some  measure  alleviated  my  sufferings. 
Besides,  we  were  forthwith  going  to  Helvoetsluys,  where  the 
Hewdrack  lay,  of  whose  crew  we  were  to  form  a  part,  and  in  the 
passage  an  escape  might  be  effected. 

The  day  of  transhipment  came,  and  we  embarked,  to  the 
number  of  two  hundred  and  seventy,  in  a  small  sloop,  manned  by 
twenty-five  sailors,  and  with  twenty-five  soldiers  to  guard  us.  The 
weakness  of  this  detachment  determined  me  to  attempt  to  disarm 
the  soldiers  and  compel  the  sailors  to  conduct  us  to  Anvers.  One 
hundred  and  twenty  of  the  recruits,  French  and  Belgians,  entered 
into  the  plot,  and  we  resolved  on  surprising  the  men  on  guard  at 
the  moment  their  comrades  were  at  dinner,  whom  we  could  then 
easily  secure.  This  enterprise  was  executed  with  the  more  success, 
as  they  suspected  nothing.  The  commandant  of  the  detachment 
was  seized  at  the  moment  he  was  taking  his  tea,  but  was  not  at  all 
maltreated.  A  young  man  of  Tournai,  engaged  as  supercargo, 
and  reduced  to  work  as  a  sailor,  explained  to  him  so  eloquently 
the  motives  that  led  to  our  revolt,  as  he  called  it,  that  he  allowed 
himself  to  be  conducted  into  the  hold  with  his  soldiers  unre- 
sistingly. As  for  the  sailors,  they  were  neutral ;  a  man  of  Dunkirk 
only,  who  was  in  our  plot,  took  the  helm. 

Night  came  on,  and  I  wished  to  lie  to,  lest  we  should  encounter 
any  guard-ship,  to  which  the  sailors  would  make  signals ;  but  the 
Dunkirker  obstinately  refused,  and  we  kept  on  our  course,  and  at 
daybreak  we  were  under  the  cannon  of  a  fort  near  Helvoetsluys. 
The  Dunkirker  then  announced  his  intention  of  landing  to  see  if 
we  could  get  on  shore  safely,  and  I  saw  then  that  we  were  sold  ; 
but  it  was  impossible  to  recede  :  signals  had  doubtlessly  been 
made,  and,  on  the  least  movement,  the  guns  of  ihe  fort  could  blow 
us  out  of  the  water.  It  was  compulsory  then  that  we  should  await 
the  event.  Soon  a  boat,  with  twenty  men  on  board,  left  the  shore 
and  approached  the  sloop  ;  three  officers  who  were  in  it  came  on 
deck,  without  testifying  any  fear,  although  it  was  the  scene  of  a 
busy  struggle  between  our  comrades  and  the  Dutch  sentry,  who 
wanted  to  free  the  soldiers  from  the  hold.  The  first  word  of  the 
eldest  officer  was  to  ask  for  the  ringleader,  and  all  remaining  mute, 
I  spoke  in  French  : — '  Indeed  that  there  had  been  no  plot,  but 
that  it  was  by  a  simultaneous  movement  that  we  had  resolved  on 
throwing  off  the  slavery  imposed  on  us  ;  we  had  illtreated  no  one, 
as  the  captain  and  sailors  could  testify,  who  knew  it  was  our  in- 
tention to  have  left  them  in  possession  of  the  vessel,  after  we  had 
landed  at  Anvers.'  I  know  not  what  effect  my  harangue  produced, 
for  I  was  not  allowed  to  finish  it ;  only,  whilst  we  were  piled  up  in 
the  hold,  in  the  place  of  the  soldiers  whom  we  had  confined  there 


126  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

on  the  previous  evening,  I  heard  some  one  say  to  the  pilot  'that 
more  than  one  would  swing  at  the  yard-arm  next  morning.'  The 
sloop  was  then  turned  towards  Helvoetsluys,  and  we  reached  that 
place  the  same  day.  at  about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  In 
the  roadstead  was  anchored  the  Heindrack.  The  commandant  of 
the  fort  went  in  his  cutter,  and  in  an  hour  afterwards  I  was  con- 
ducted thither  also.  I  found  there  assembled  a  sort  of  maritime 
council,  who  questioned  me  as  to  the  particulars  of  the  mutiny, 
and  the  part  I  had  taken  in  it.  I  asserted,  as  I  had  already  done 
to  the  fort  governor,  that  having  signed  no  articles  of  engagement, 
I  thought  myself  justified  in  effecting  my  escape  by  any  means 
that  presented. 

I  was  then  ordered  to  retire,  to  make  way  for  the  young  man  of 
Tournai  who  had  seized  the  captain.  We  were  looked  on  as  the 
leaders  in  the  enterprise,  and  we  know  that  in  such  cases  it  is  the 
ringleaders  who  undergo  the  punishment,  and  we  were  to  suffer 
nothing  more  or  less  than  hanging ;  fortunately,  the  young  man, 
who  had  had  time  for  consideration,  corroborated  my  statement, 
asserted  firmly  that  no  one  had  suggested  it,  but  that  the  idea  had 
come  across  us  all  at  the  same  moment ;  besides,  we  were  quite 
sure  of  not  being  betrayed  by  our  comrades,  who  showed  much 
concern  for  us,  and  swore  that  if  we  were  condemned,  the  ship  on 
board  which  they  should  be  placed,  should  jump  like  a  rocket ; 
that  is,  that  they  would  fire  the  powder  magazine,  although  they 
should  be  blown  up  with  it ;  and  these  were  lads  who  would  have 
dared  to  do  what  they  ventured  to  talk  about.  Whether  they 
feared  the  results  of  these  menaces,  and  the  bad  example  that  it 
would  afford  to  the  sailors  of  the  fleet  who  had  been  recruited  in 
a  similar  way ;  or  whether  the  council  held  that  we  were  entrenched 
behind  a  rampart  of  legitimate  defence,  in  seeking  to  withdraw 
ourselves  from  a  compulsory  service;  they  promised  to  ask  for  our 
pardon  from  the  admiral,  on  condition  that  we  kept  our  comrades 
in  due  subordination,  which  appeared  not  to  be  their  favourite 
virtue.  We  promised  all  that  they  desired,  for  nothing  makes  one 
so  easy  to  be  persuaded  or  to  promise,  as  the  feeling  a  cord  about 
one's  neck. 

These  preliminaries  agreed  upon,  our  comrades  were  transferred 
on  board  the  ship,  and  went  between  decks  with  the  crew,  whose 
complement  they  were  to  make  up  :  all  was  done  with  the  greatest 
order,  neither  was  any  complaint  heard,  nor  was  there  the  smallest 
disorderly  symptom  to  be  repressed.  It  is  right  to  say,  that  we 
were  not  illtreated,  as  we  had  been  on  board  the  brig,  where  our 
old  friend  the  boatswain  did  all  with  the  rope's  end  in  his  hand. 
Besides,  by  giving  the  marines  instruction  in  fencing,-!  was  treated 


A  CLEVER  RUSE.  127 

with  some  attention,  and  was  even  made  bombardier,  with  a  pay 
of  twenty-eight  florins  per  month.  Two  months  passed  away  thus, 
whilst  the  vigilance  of  the  English  cruisers  would  not  allow  of  our 
quitting  anchorage.  I  became  reconciled  to  my  new  employment, 
and  had  no  thoughts  of  leaving  it,  when  news  was  brought  that 
the  French  authorities  were  searching  for  all  Frenchmen  who  were 
forming  part  of  the  Dutch  crews. 

Researches,  however,  were  continued ;  they  stationed  agents  at 
the  ports  and  taverns,  who  examined  those  men  who  landed  by 
permission  or  otherwise.  In  one  of  my  excursions,  I  was  appre- 
hended. I  have  long  preserved  my  gratitude  for  it  towards  the 
ship's  cook,  who  honoured  me  with  his  personal  animosity  ever 
after  that  I  had  found  fault  with  his  giving  us  swipes  for  beer,  and 
stinking  cod  for  fresh  fish.  Taken  before  the  commanding  officer, 
I  said  I  was  a  Dutchman,  and  my  knowledge  of  the  language 
sufficed  for  me  to  keep  up  my  assertion  ;  and  besides,  I  demanded 
to  be  taken  back  to  my  ship  with  a  guard,  that  I  might  procure 
papers  to  substantiate  my  assertion,  than  which  nothing  could  be 
more  natural.  A  subaltern  was  ordered  to  accompany  me,  and 
we  set  out  in  the  skiff  that  had  conveyed  me  ashore.  On  getting 
near  the  ship,  I  made  my  friend,  with  whom  I  had  been  talking 
very  familiarly,  get  up  alongside  first ;  and  when  I  saw  him  en- 
tangled amongst  the  rigging,  I  thrust  off  suddenly  from  the  ship's 
side,  calling  to  the  boat's  crew  to  pull  their  hardest,  and  that  they 
should  have  something  to  drink.  We  were  cutting  through  the 
water  whilst  my  subaltern  friend  was  jostled  about  amongst  the 
crew,  who  did  not  or  pretended  not  to  know  him.  On  getting 
ashore,  I  ran  to  conceal  myself  in  a  house  which  I  knew,  deter- 
mined on  quitting  the  vessel,  in  which  it  would  be  difficult  for  me 
to  appear  without  being  apprehended.  My  flight  would  confirm 
all  suspicions  raised  against  me,  and  therefore  the  captain  gave  me 
his  authority,  tacitly,  to  do  what  I  might  think  best  for  my  own 
security. 

A  Dunkirk  privateer,  the  Barras,  captain  Fomentin,  was  in  the 
roads.  At  this  period,  vessels  of  this  kind  were  seldom  overhauled, 
as  they  were  in  a  measure  a  sort  of  asylum ;  and  as  it  suited  me  to 
get  on  board  it,  I  got  a  lieutenant,  to  whom  I  applied,  to  introduce 
me  to  Fomentin,  who,  on  my  own  statement,  admitted  me  on 
board  as  master-at-arms.  Four  days  afterwards,  the  Barras  set 
sail  for  a  cruise  in  the  Sound.  It  was  at  the  beginning  of  the  winter 
1799,  when  the  tempestuous  weather  destroyed  so  many  vessels 
on  the  coast  of  the  Baltic.  Scarcely  were  we  at  sea,  when  a 
northerly  wind  rose,  quite  contrary  to  our  destination.  We  were 
compelled  to  put  about,  and  the  roll  of  the  ship  was  so  great,  that 


128  MEMOIRS  OF  V1DOCQ. 

I  was  excessively  ill,  so  much  so,  that  for  three  days  I  could  take 
nothing  but  weak  brandy  and  water,  and  half  the  crew  were  in  the 
same  state,  so  that  a  fishing-boat  might  have  taken  us  without  our 
striking  a  blow.  At  length  the  wind  abated,  and  turned  suddenly 
to  the  south-west ;  and  the  B arras,  an  admirable  sailor,  going  ten 
knots  an  hour,  all  hands  aboard  soon  recovered.  At  this  moment, 
the  man  at  the  mast-head  cried  out,  *  A  sail  on  the  larboard  tack  !' 
The  captain  took  his  glass,  and  declared  it  to  be  an  English 
coaster,  under  a  neutral  flag,  and  which  the  squalls  had  separated 
from  the  convoy.  We  bore  down  on  her,  with  the  wind  on  our 
bow.  At  the  second  discharge  of  our  guns  she  struck,  before  we 
could  board  her ;  and  putting  the  crew  down  into  the  hold,  we 
made  for  Bergen  in  Norway,  where  our  cargo  was  soon  disposed 
of. 

I  remained  six  months  on  board  the  Barms,  and  my  share  of 
the  prizes  was  pretty  considerable,  when  we  went  to  lay  up  for  a 
time  at  Ostend.  We  had  scarcely  got  into  the  basin,  when  several 
police  agents  came  on  board  to  examine  the  papers  of  the  crew ; 
and  I  afterwards  learnt  that  they  paid  us  this  unusual  visit  in 
order  to  detect  a  murderer  who  was  supposed  to  be  on  board. 

When  my  turn  came  for  examination,  I  asserted  that  I  was 
Auguste  Duval,  born  at  1'Orient;  and  added,  that  my  papers  were 
at  Rotterdam,  in  the  office  of  the  Dutch  marine  department.  No 
notice  was  taken,  and  I  thought  I  had  well  got  rid  of  the  affair. 
When  the  three  hundred  men  who  were  on  board  had  been  ques- 
tioned, eight  of  us  were  called,  and  told  that  we  must  go  to  the 
register  office,  to  give  the  requisite  explanation.  Not  liking  this, 
I  turned  off  at  the  first  angle  of  the  street,  and  had  already  gained 
thirty  yards  on  the  gendarmes,  when  an  old  woman,  who  was 
washing  the  steps  of  a  house,  put  her  broom  between  my  legs  and 
I  fell.  The  gendarmes  came  up  to  me  and  put  on  handcuffs, 
besides  belabouring  me  pretty  well  with  the  butts  of  carbines  and 
the  flat  sides  of  swords,  and  I  was  conducted  thus  to  the  com- 
missary, who,  after  hearing  me,  asked  me  if  I  had  not  escaped 
from  the  hospital  of  Quimper.  I  saw  that  I  was  caught,  for  there 
was  equal  danger  as  Duval  or  Vidocq.  However,  I  decided  on 
the  first  name,  which  offered  less  unfavourable  chances  of  the  two  ; 
since  the  road  from  Ostend  to  1'Orient  is  longer  than  from  Ostend 
to  Arras,  and  thus  afforded  more  opportunities  for  escape. 


FRANCINE.  129 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Re-imprisoned  at  Douai — Am  I  Duval  or  Vidocq  ? — Again  at  Bicetre — Captain 
Labbre— Toulon— Jossas,  the  robber  Marquis  St.  Armand— The  executioner 
of  the  Bagne. 

EIGHT  days  elapsed,  during  which  I  only  once  saw  the  commissary, 
and  was  then  sent  with  a  party  of  prisoners,  deserters,  etc.,  who  were 
to  be  conveyed  to  Lille.  It  was  to  be  expected  that  the  uncertainty 
of  my  identity  would  terminate  on  reaching  a  city  where  I  had  so 
often  dwelt ;  and,  therefore,  informed  that  we  should  pass  through 
that  place,  I  took  such  precautions  that  the  gendarmes  who  had 
already  conducted  me  did  not  recognise  me ;  my  features,  con- 
cealed under  a  thick  mask  of  dust  and  sweat,  were,  besides,  com- 
pletely altered  by  the  swelling  of  my  cheeks,  almost  as  large  as 
those  of  the  angels  which  on  the  frescoes  of  churches  are  seen 
blowing  the  trumpet  of  the  last  judgment.  It  was  in  this  state 
that  I  entered  the  Egalite',  a  military  prison,  where  I  was  to  stay 
for  some  days.  There  to  charm  away  the  weariness  of  my  seclusion, 
I  risked  several  visits  to  the  canteen,  in  the  hope  that  mingling 
with  the  visitors  I  might  find  an  opportunity  of  escape.  Meeting 
with  a  sailor  whom  I  had  known  on  board  the  Barras>  I  thought  I 
might  make  him  instrumental  to  my  project.  I  asked  him  to 
breakfast  with  me,  and  our  meal  finished,  I  returned  to  my 
chamber,  where  I  remained  for  three  hours,  reflecting  on  the  means 
of  recovering  my  liberty,  when  the  sailor  came  to  ask  me  to  share 
the  dinner  which  his  wife  had  just  brought  him.  The  sailor,  then, 
had  a  wife — and  the  thought  crossed  me,  that  to  elude  the  vigi- 
lance of  the  jailors,  she  might  procure  me  female  attire  or  some 
disguise.  Full  of  this  idea,  I  went  down  to  the  canteen  and  drew 
near  the  table,  when  I  heard  a  piercing  cry,  and  a  woman  fainted. 
It  was  my  comrade's  wife.  I  ran  to  raise  her — good  heavens, 
'twas  Francine !  Alarmed  at  my  own  imprudence,  which  had 
allowed  an  expression  of  astonishment  to  escape  from  me,  I  tried 
to  express  the  emotion  which  I  had  unavoidably  testified  Sur- 
prised and  astonished,  the  spectators  crowded  around  us,  and 
overwhelmed  me  with  inquiries,  and,  after  some  moments'  silence, 
I  told  them  that  it  was  my  sister  whom  I  had  so  unexpectedly  met. 
This  incident  passed  without  any  consequences,  and  next  day 
at  da\vn  we  set  off:  and  I  was  in  consternation  at  finding  that  the 
convoy,  instead  of  following  as  usual  the  road  to  Sens,  took  that 
of  Douai.  Why  change  the  direction  of  our  journey  ?  I  attributed 
this  to  some  indiscretion  of  Francine :  but  I  soon  learnt  that  it  re- 
sulted simply  from  the  necessity  of  leaving  at  Arras  some  of  the 
Refractory  prisoners  from  Cambrai, 


130  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ, 

Francine,  whom  I  had  so  unjustly  suspected,  was  awaiting  me 
at  our  first  halt.  In  spite  of  the  gendarmes  she  would  speak  to 
and  embrace  me.  She  wept  bitterly,  and  joined  my  tears  with 
hers.  With  what  bitterness  did  she  reproach  herself  for  the  in- 
fidelity which  was  the  cause  of  all  my  misfortunes  !  Her  repen- 
tance was  sincere,  and  I  sincerely  forgave  her  :  and  when,  on  the 
order  of  the  brigadier,  we  were  compelled  to  separate,  she  slipped 
into  my  hands  two  hundred  francs  in  gold  as  the  only  recompense 
in  her  power. 

At  length  we  reached  Douai,  and  at  the  gate  of  the  prison  of  the 
department  a  gendarme  rang  the  bell.  Who  answered  the 
summons?  Dutilleul,  the  turnkey,  who,  after  one  of  my  attempts 
to  escape,  had  dressed  my  hurts  for  a  month  afterwards.  He  did 
not  appear  to  know  me.  At  the  office  I  found  another  person 
whom  I  knew,  the  guard  Hurtrel,  in  such  a  state  of  inebriety  that 
I  flattered  myself  his  memory  had  entirely  left  him.  For  three 
days  nothing  was  said  to  me ;  but  on  the  fourth  I  was  led  before 
the  examining  magistrate,  in  the  presence  of  Hurtrel  and  Dutilleul, 
and  was  asked  if  I  were  not  Vidocq.  I  replied  that  I  was  Auguste 
Duval,  which  might  be  confirmed  by  sending  to  1'Orient :  and, 
besides,  the  motive  of  my  apprehension  at  Ostend  proved  it,  as  I 
was  only  charged  with  having  deserted  from  a  ship  of  war.  My 
straightforward  tale  seemed  to  weigh  with  the  judge,  who  hesitated  \ 
but  Hurtrel  and  Dutilleul  persisted  in  asserting  that  they  were  not 
mistaken.  Rausson,  the  public  accuser,  came  to  see  me,  and  also 
said  he  knew  me,  but  as  I  was  not  disconcerted,  he  remained  in 
doubt,  and  to  clear  up  the  affair  they  devised  a  stratagem. 

One  morning  I  was  told  that  a  person  wanted  me  at  the  office, 
and  on  going  thither  I  found  my  mother,  whom  they  had  sent  for 
from  Arras  ;  with  what  intention  may  be  easily  divined.  The  poor 
woman  hastened  to  embrace  me,  but  I  saw  through  the  snare,  and 
putting  her  from  me  quietly,  I  said  to  the  magistrate,  who  was 
present,  that  it  was  an  unmanly  thing  to  give  the  unfortunate 
woman  any  hopes  of  seeing  her  son,  when  they  were,  at  least,  un- 
certain of  their  ability  to  produce  him.  My  mother,  who  was  put 
on  her  guard  by  a  signal  which  I  managed  to  communicate  to  her, 
pretending  to  examine  me  attentively,  at  length  declared  that  a 
wonderful  likeness  had  deceived  her,  and  then  retired,  uttering 
many  bitter  reproaches  against  those  who  had  taken  her  from 
home  only  to  afford  her  a  fallacious  joy. 

The  magistrate  and  turnkeys  were  then  reduced  to  their  original 
state  of  dubiety,  when  a  letter  which  arrived  from  1'Orient  seemed 
to  put  the  matter  beyond  a  doubt.  It  mentioned  a  drawing  pricked 
nn  the  left  arm  of  Duval,  who  had  escaped  from  the  hospital  a* 


AGAIN  AT  BICETRE.  131 

Quimper,  as  a  thing  which  would  at  once  dispel  every  doubt  as  to 
the  identity  of  the  individual  detained  at  Douai.  I  was  again 
summoned  before  the  examining  judge,  and  Hurtrel,  already 
triumphing  in  his  penetration,  was  present  at  the  interrogation. 
At  the  first  words  I  saw  what  was  coming,  and  stripping  my  coat 
sleeve  above  my  elbow,  I  showed  them  the  drawing,  which  they 
scnrcely  expected  to  find,  and  which  exactly  coincided  with  the 
description  sent  from  1'Orient.  All  were  in  the  clouds  again,  and 
what  yet  made  the  situation  more  complicated,  was  that  the  autho- 
rities of  1'Orient  demanded  me  as  a  deserter  from  the  fleet  Fifteen 
days  were  thus  spent  without  any  decision  having  been  made  con- 
cerning me,  when,  tired  with  the  severities  used  towards  me,  and 
hoping  to  procure  approbation,  I  wrote  to  the  president  of  the 
criminal  tribunal,  declaring  that  I  was  really  Vidocq.  I  had  de- 
termined on  this,  under  the  idea  that  T  should  be  sent  forthwith 
to  Bicetre  with  a  party,  and  that  was  actually  the  result.  It  was 
utterly  impossible,  however,  for  me  to  make  the  least  effort  to 
escape  by  the  way,  as  I  was  guarded  with  unremitting  vigilance. 

I  made  my  second  entry  at  Bicetre  on  the  second  of  April,  1 799, 
and  there  found  some  old  prisoners,  who,  although  galley-slaves, 
had  obtained  permission  to  have  their  sentence  to  the  Bagne  re- 
mitted. 

I  saw  at  Bicetre  Captain  Labbre,  who,  it  may  be  recollected, 
supplied  me,  when  at  Brussels,  with  papers,  by  means  of  which  I 

deceived  the  Baroness  d'l .  He  had  been  sentenced  to  sixteen 

years  at  the  galleys,  for  being  concerned  in  an  extensive  robbery 
committed  at  Ghent,  at  the  house  of  Champon,  the  aubergist.  He 
was,  with  us,  to  depart  with  the  first  chain,  the  near  approach  of 
which  was  disagreeably  announced  to  us.  Captain  Viez,  know- 
ing the  gentlemen  who  were  to  be  confided  to  him,  had  de- 
clared that,  to  prevent  any  chance  of  escape,  he  would  put  on 
wrist-cuffs  and  collars  until  we  reached  Toulon.  However,  our 
promise  induced  him  to  forego  this  formidable  project 

After  the  riveting  of  the  fetters  was  done  (in  a  similar  way  to  that 
in  which  it  had  been  performed  at  my  first  departure)  I  was  put 
at  the  head  of  the  first  cordon,  with  Jossas,  one  of  the  most  cele- 
brated robbers  of  Paris  and  the  provinces,  better  known  as  the 
Marquis  de  Saint-Armand  de  Faral,  which  he  constantly  bore. 
He  was  a  man  about  thirty-six  years  old,  with  a  gentlemanly  ap- 
pearance, and  able  to  assume  at  will  the  most  perfect  suavity  of 
manners.  His  travelling  costume  was  that  of  a  dandy  leaving  his 
bedroom  for  his  boudoir.  With  pantaloons  of  silver-grey  knit 
materials,  he  wore  a  waistcoat  and  cap  trimmed  with  Astracan  fur, 
of  the  same  colour,  and  the  whole  covered  with  a  large  cloak  lined 

9—2 


132  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

with  crimson  velvet.  His  expenditure  equalled  his  appearance, 
for,  not  contented  with  living  sumptuously  at  the  places  of  repose, 
he  also  supported  three  or  four  others  of  the  cordon. 

Jossas  never  had  any  education,  but  having  entered  when  very 
young  into  the  service  of  a  rich  colonel,  whom  he  accompanied  in 
his  travels,  he  had  acquired  manners  sufficiently  good  not  to  dis- 
grace any  circle.  Thus  his  comrades,  seeing  him  introduce  him- 
self into  the  first  society,  named  him  '  Passe-par-tout.'  He  was  so 
completely  identified  with  this  character,  that  at  the  Bagne,  when 
confined  in  double  irons,  and  mingling  indiscriminately  with  men 
of  the  most  miserable  appearance,  he  still  kept  up  a  portion  of 
his  grandeur,  though  disguised  in  a  convict's  cassock.  Having 
provided  himself  with  a  splendid  dressing-box,  he  bestowed  an 
hour  daily  on  his  toilet,  and  was  extremely  particular  about  the 
appearance  of  his  hands,  which  were  certainly  very  handsome. 

Jossas  was  one  of  those  thieves  of  whom,  fortunately,  but  few 
are  now  in  existence.  He  meditated  and  prepared  an  enterprise 
sometimes  as  long  as  a  year  beforehand.  Operating  principally  by 
means  of  false  keys,  he  began  by  taking  first  the  impression  of  the 
lock  of  the  outer  door.  The  key  made,  he  entered  the  first  part ; 
if  stopped  by  another  door,  he  took  a  second  impression,  had  a 
second  key  made,  and  thus  in  the  end  attained  his  object.  It  may 
be  judged,  that  only  being  able  to  get  on  during  the  absence  of  the 
tenant  of  the  apartment,  he  must  lose  much  time  before  the  fitting 
opportunity  would  present  itself.  He  only  had-recourse  to  this  ex- 
pedient when  in  despair,  that  is,  when  it  was  impossible  to  intro- 
duce himself  to  the  house ;  for  if  he  could  contrive  to  procure 
admittance  under  any  pretext,  he  soon  obtained  impressions  of  all 
the  locks,  and  when  the  keys  were  ready,  he  used  to  invite  the 
persons  to  dine  with  him,  and  whilst  they  were  at  table,  his  accom- 
plices stripped  the  apartments,  from  whence  he  had  also  contrived 
to  draw  away  the  servants,  either  by  asking  their  masters  to  bring 
them  to  help  to  wait  at  table,  or  by  engaging  the  attention  of  the 
waiting-maids  and  cooks  by  lovers  who  were  in  the  plot.  The  porters 
saw  nothing,  because  they  seldom  took  anything  but  jewels  or 
money.  If  by  chance  any  large  parcel  was  to  be  removed,  they 
folded  it  up  in  dirty  linen,  and  it  was  thrown  out  of  window  to  an 
accomplice  in  waiting  with  a  washerwoman's  wheel-barrow. 

In  society,  where  he  passed  as  a  Creole  of  Havannah,  he  often 
met  inhabitants  of  that  place,  without  ever  letting  anything  escape 
him  which  could  betray  him.  He  frequently  led  on  families  of 
distinction  to  offer  him  the  hands  of  their  daughters.  Taking  care 
always,  during  the  many  conversations  thereon,  to  learn  where  the 
dowry  was  deposited,  he  invariably  carried  it  off,  and  absconded 


JOSSAS.  133 

at  the  moment  appointed  for  signing  the  contract  But  of  all  his 
tricks,  that  played  off  on  a  banker  at  Lyons  is  perhaps  the  most 
astonishing.  Having  acquainted  himself  with  the  ways  of  the 
house,  under  pretext  of  arranging  accounts  and  negotiations,  in  a 
short  time  an  intimacy  arose,  which  gave  him  the  opportunity  of 
getting  the  impression  of  all  the  locks  except  that  of  the  cash-chest, 
of  which  a  secret  ward  rendered  all  his  attempts  unavailing.  On 
the  other  hand,  the  chest  being  built  in  the  wall,  and  cased  with 
iron,  it  was  impossible  to  think  of  breaking  it  open.  The  cashier, 
too,  never  parted  from  his  key ;  but  these  obstacles  did  not  daunt 
Jossas.  Having  formed  a  close  intimacy  with  the  cashier,  he  pro- 
posed an  excursion  of  pleasure  to  Collonges  ;  and  on  the  day  ap- 
pointed they  went  in  a  cabriolet.  On  approaching  Saint  Rampert, 
they  saw  by  the  river-side  a  woman  apparently  dying,  and  the 
blood  spouting  from  her  mouth  and  nostrils  ;  beside  her  was  a 
man,  who  appeared  much  distressed,  assisting  her.  Jossas,  testi- 
fying considerable  emotion,  told  him  that  the  best  method  of 
stopping  the  effusion  of  blood  was  to  apply  a  key  to  the  back  of 
the  female.  But  no  one  had  a  key,  except  the  cashier,  who  at 
first  offered  that  of  his  apartment.  That  had  no  effect  The 
cashier,  alarmed  at  seeing  the  blood  flow  copiously,  took  out  the 
key  of  his  cash-chest,  which  was  applied  with  much  success 
between  the  shoulders  of  the  patient.  It  has  been  already  guessed 
that  a  piece  of  modelling  wax  had  been  placed  there  previously, 
and  that  the  whole  scene  had  been  preconcerted.  Three  days 
after  the  cash-box  was  empty. 

Jossas  spent  money  with  the  facility  of  a  man  who  comes  easily 
by  it.  He  was  very  charitable ;  and  I  could  cite  many  instances 
of  his  whimsical  generosity.  Amongst  others,  the  following  :  One 
day  he  penetrated  into  an  apartment  in  the  Rue  du  Hazard,  which 
he  had  been  informed  would  yield  a  rich  booty.  At  first  the  wretched- 
ness of  the  furniture  surprised  him,  but  the  proprietor  might  be  a 
miser.  He  went  on  searching,  burst  open  all,  broke  everything, 
and  only  found  in  the  desk  a  bundle  of  pawnbrokers'  duplicates. 

He  took  from  his  pocket  five  louis,  and  placing  them  on  the 
mantel-piece,  wrote  on  the  glass  these  words,  *  Payment  for  broken 
furniture  ;'  he  then  retired,  after  closing  the  doors  carefully,  lest 
any  other  robbers,  less  scrupulous,  should  carry  off  what  he  had 
respected. 

When  Jossas  set  out  with  us  for  Bicetre  it  was  his  third  journey. 
He  afterwards  escaped  twice,  was  retaken,  and  died  at  the  Bagne 
at  Rochefort  in  1806. 

On  our  way  to  Montereau,  I  was  witness  of  a  scene  which  may 
as  well  be  known.  A  convict;  named  M auger  knew  a  young  man 


13*  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

of  the  city,  who  was  believed  by  his  parents  to  be  sentenced  to 
the  galleys  ;  and  recommending  his  next  neighbour  to  hide  his  face 
with  his  handkerchief,  he  told  several  persons  we  met  on  our  way, 
that  the  person  who  thus  concealed  himself  was  the  young  man  in 
question.  The  chain  went  onwards,  but  scarcely  were  we  a  quarter 
of  a  league  from  Montereau,  when  a  man,  running  after  us,  gave  the 
captain  fifty  francs,  produced  by  a  collection  made  for  the  *  man 
with  the  handkerchief.'  These  fifty  francs  were  in  the  evening 
distributed  arrongst  the  plotters  of  the  scheme,  without  any  other 
persons  but  themselves  knowing  the  cause  of  such  liberality. 

At  Sens,  Jossas  played  another  comedy.  He  had  sent  for  a  man, 
named  Sergent,  who  kept  the  auberge  de  1'Ecu  ;  and  on  his  arrival, 
this  man  testified  the  most  excessive  grief.  '  What !'  he  exclaimed, 
with  tears  in  his  eyes,  *  you  here,  my  noble  marquis  !  You,  the 
brother  of  my  old  master  !  I,  who  thought  you  on  your  return  to 
Germany  !  Oh  heavens  !  what  a  misfortune  !'  It  may  be  guessed 
that  in  some  expedition  Jossas,  being  at  Sens,  had  passed  himself 
for  an  emigrant,  returned  clandestinely,  and  the  brother  of  a  count 
with  whom  Sergent  had  been  cook.  Jossas  explained  to  him  how, 
being  apprehended  with  a  forged  passport  at  the  moment  he  was 
gaining  the  frontier,  he  had  been  sentenced  as  a  forger.  The  good 
aubergist  did  not  confine  himself  to  empty  lamentations,  but  sent 
the  galley-slave  an  excellent  dinner,  which  I  partook,  with  an  ap- 
petite greatly  contrasted  with  my  wretched  situation. 

Save  and  except  a  tremendous  chastisement  inflicted  on  two 
convicts  who  had  tried  to  escape  at  Beaume,  nothing  extraordinary 
occurred  till  we  reached  Chalons,  when  we  were  put  on  board  a 
large  boat,  filled  with  straw,  very  similar  to  those  which  convey 
charcoal  to  Paris ;  the  whole  covered  with  a  thick  cloth.  If,  to 
cast  a  glance  over  the  country,  or  breathe  a  purer  air,  a  convict 
ventured  to  raise  a  corner,  a  shower  of  blows  rained  instantly  on 
his  shoulders.  Although  free  from  such  treatment,  I  was  not  the 
less  affected  at  my  situation ;  scarcely  could  the  gaiety  of  Jossas, 
who  was  never  downcast,  avail  in  making  me  for  a  moment  forget 
that,  on  reaching  the  Bagne,  I  should  be  the  object  of  a  special 
vigilance  that  must  frustrate  every  hope  of  escape.  This  idea 
doubly  depressed  me  when  we  reached  Lyons. 

On  seeing  the  He  Baslie,  Jossas  said  to  me,  *  You  are  going  to 
see  something  new.'  I  saw,  on  the  quay  of  the  Seine,  an  elegant 
carriage,  which  seemed  to  be  awaiting  the  arrival  of  a  boat.  As 
soon  as  it  came  in  sight,  a  female  put  her  head  from  the  window, 
and  waved  a  white  handkerchief.  *  It  is  she,'  said  Jossas,  who 
replied  to  the  signal.  The  boat  having  been  moored  to  the  quay, 
the  lady  descended,  and  mixed  in  the  crowd  of  lookers-on ;  I  could 


A  TERRIBLE  STORM.  135 

not  see  her  face,  which  was  concealed  by  a  very  thick  black  veil. 
She  remained  there  from  four  in  the  afternoon  till  evening,  and 
the  crowd  then  dispersing,  Jossas  sent  Lieutenant  Thierry  to  her, 
who  soon  returned  with  a  sausage,  in  which  were  concealed  fifty 
louis.  I  learnt  that  Jossas,  having  made  a  conquest  of  this  lady 
under  his  title  of  marquis,  had  informed  her  by  letter  of  his  con- 
demnation, which  he  doubtlessly  accounted  for  as  he  had  done 
with  the  aubergist  at  Sens.  These  sorts  of  intrigues,  now  very 
rare,  were  at  this  period  very  common.  Ignorant  of  the  stratagem 
plotted  to  deceive  her,  the  veiled  lady  reappeared  the  next  day  on 
the  quay,  and  remained  there  until  our  departure,  to  the  great 
satisfaction  of  Jossas,  who  not  only  was  recruited  in  finance,  but 
was  assured  of  an  asylum  in  the  event  of  effecting  his  escape. 

\\  e  had  nearly  reached  the  termination  of  our  navigation,  when, 
two  leagues  from  Pont  St.  Esprit,  we  were  overtaken  by  one  of 
those  terrific  storms  so  common  on  the  Rhone.  It  was  announced  by 
distant  rumblings  of  thunder.  Soon  afterwards  the  rain  descended 
in  torrents :  gusts  of  wind,  such  as  are  only  experienced  under  the 
tropics,  blew  down  houses,  uprooted  trees,  and  drove  the  waves 
mountain  high,  which  threatened  at  each  moment  to  overwhelm 
us  with  destruction.  At  this  moment  the  spectacle  that  presented 
itself  was  horrific  ;  by  the  rapid  flashes  of  lightning  were  to  be  seen 
two  hundred  men,  chained  so  as  to  deprive  them  of  the  remotest 
hope  of  safety,  and  expressing  by  fearful  cries  the  anguish  of  ap- 
proaching death,  rendered  inevitable  by  the  weight  of  their  fetters ; 
on  their  sinister  countenances  might  be  read  the  desire  to  preserve 
a  life  disputed  by  the  scaffold,  a  life  henceforward  to  be  spent  in 
misery  and  degradation.  Some  of  the  convicts  evinced  an  absolute 
passiveness ;  many,  on  the  contrary,  delivered  themselves  up  to  a 
frantic  joy.  If  any  unfortunate  wretch,  mindful  of  his  innocent 
youth,  muttered  out  the  fragment  of  a  prayer,  his  next  companion 
would  perhaps  shake  his  fetters,  whilst  he  howled  an  obscene  song, 
and  the  prayer  expired  in  the  midst  of  lengthened  howls  and 
shrieks. 

What  redoubled  the  general  consternation  was  the  despair  of 
the  mariners,  who  seemed  to  have  given  all  over  for  lost  The 
guards  were  not  more  confident,  and  even  gave  symptoms  of  an 
intention  to  quit  the  boat,  which  was  visibly  filling  fast  with  water. 
Then  matters  took  a  fresh  turn,  and  they  urged  on  the  argousins, 
crying,  '  Make  the  shore ;  let  all  make  for  shore.'  The  darkness, 
added  to  the  confusion  of  the  moment,  affording  an  opportunity, 
with  impunity,  the  most  intrepid  of  the  convicts  rose,  declaring 
that  no  person  should  quit  the  boat  until  it  reached  the  bank. 
Lieutenant  Thierry  was  the  only  one  who  appeared  to  have  pre- 


136  MEMOIRS  OF  VWOCQ. 

served  his  presence  of  mind  :  he  put  on  a  bold  front,  and  protested 
that  there  was  no  danger,  as  neither  he  nor  the  sailors  had  any  in- 
tention of  quitting  the  vessel.  We  believed  him  the  more  as  the 
weather  was  gradually  becoming  more  moderate.  Daylight  ap- 
peared, and  on  the  surface  of  the  water,  smooth  as  ice,  there 
would  have  been  nothing  to  recall  the  disasters  of  the  night  if  the 
muddy  tide  had  not  been  strewn  with  dead  cattle,  trees,  and  frag- 
ments of  furniture  and  houses. 

Escaped  from  the  tempest,  we  landed  at  Avignon,  and  were 
confined  in  the  castle.  There  commenced  the  vengeance  of  the 
argousins  ;  they  had  not  forgotten  what  they  were  pleased  to  term 
our  insurrection ;  refreshing  our  memories  of  it  by  blows  from 
their  cudgels,  and  then  preventing  the  public  from  giving  the 
convicts  that  assistance  which  the  end  of  the  journey  presented 
from  passing  through  their  hands.  *  Alms  to  these  vagabonds  !' 
said  one  of  them,  called  Father  Lami,  to  some  ladies  who  wished 
to  bestow  some  aid  :  *  it  would  be  money  lost.  Besides,  ask  the 
captain.' 

Lieutenant  Thierry,  who  ought  not  to  be  mentioned  with 
such  brutal  and  inhuman  beings,  and  of  whom  I  have  already 
spoken,  gave  permission  \  but,  by  a  refinement  of  villany,  the 
argousins  made  the  signal  for  departure  before  the  distribution  was 
finished.  The  rest  of  the  journey  had  no  features  of  interest ;  and 
at  length,  after  thirty-seven  days  of  most  painful  travel,  the  chain 
entered  Toulon. 

The  fifteen  carriages  arrived  at  the  port,  and,  drawn  up  in  front 
of  the  rope-yard,  the  convicts  were  ordered  to  alight,  and  were 
then  escorted  to  the  court-yard  of  the  Bagne.  On  the  way  thither, 
those  who  had  clothes  worth  anything  made  all  possible  haste  to 
take  them  off  and  sell  or  give  them  to  the  crowd  which  assembled 
at  the  arrival  of  a  new  chain.  When  the  clothing  of  the  Bagne 
was  distributed,  and  the  manacles  had  been  riveted,  as  I  had  seen 
it  done  at  Brest,  we  were  conveyed  on  board  a  cut-down  frigate, 
called  Le  Husard^  used  as  the  floating  Bagne.  As  soon  as  the 
convicts  employed  as  writers  had  written  down  our  descriptions, 
the  escaped  convicts  were  riveted  to  the  double  chain,  Their 
escape  added  three  years'  additional  confinement  to  the  original 
sentence, 

As  I  was  thus  circumstanced,  I  was  sent  to  No.  3,  where  the 
most  suspected  convicts  were  placed.  Lest  they  should  find  an 
opportunity  for  escaping  in  going  to  the  harbour,  they  never  went 
to  labour.  Always  fettered  to  the  *  bane,.'  lying  on  the  bare  plank, 
eaten  up  by  vermin,  and  worn  out  by  brutal  treatment  and  want 
of  nourishment  and  exercise,  they  presented  a  most  lamentable 
appearance. 


THE  EXECUTIONER  OF  THE  BAGNE.  137 

I  found  in  the  cell  all  the  most  abandoned  scoundrels  that  ever 
assembled  at  the  Bagne.  I  saw  there  one  named  Vidal,  who  even 
struck  the  convicts  themselves  with  horror.  Apprehended  at  four- 
teen years  of  age,  in  the  midst  of  a  band  of  brigands  in  whose 
crimes  he  participated,  his  age  alone  redeemed  him  from  the 
scaffold.  He  was  sentenced  to  imprisonment  for  twenty-four  years ; 
but  scarcely  had  he  reached  the  prison  when,  at  the  conclusion  of 
a  quarrel,  he  killed  a  comrade  with  a  blow  of  his  knife.  A  sentence 
of  twenty-four  years'  hard  labour  was  then  substituted  for  that  of 
imprisonment  only.  He  had  been  for  some  years  at  the  Bagne,  when 
a  convict  was  sentenced  to  death.  There  was  not  an  executioner 
to  be  found  in  the  city,  and  Vidal  eagerly  offered  his  services, 
which  were  accepted,  and  the  execution  was  carried  into  effect, 
but  they  were  compelled  to  put  Vidal  on  the  bench  with  the 
galley  guards,  or  else  the  convicts  would  have  knocked  him  on  the 
head  with  their  fetters.  The  threats  which  menaced  him  did  not 
prevent  him  from  fulfilling  his  new  office  again,  some  time  after- 
wards. Besides,  he  undertook  to  administer  the  sentences  of 
bastinado  on  the  prisoners.  At  length,  in  1794,  the  revolutionary 
tribunal  having  been  installed  at  Toulon,  after  the  taking  of  that 
town  by  Dugommier,  Vidal  was  employed  to  carry  their  sentences 
into  effect.  He  then  thought  he  was  liberated,  but  when  the 
terror  had  ceased,  he  was  remanded  to  the  Bagne,  where  he  was 
placed  under  a  special  surveillance. 

On  the  same  bench  with  Vidal  was  the  Jew  Deschamps,  one  of 
the  principal  of  the  party  concerned  in  the  robbing  the  royal 
wardrobe,  to  the  details  of  which  the  convicts  listened  with  a 
sinistrous  pleasure.  At  the  enumeration  of  the  diamonds  and 
jewels  carried  off,  their  eyes  sparkled,  their  muscles  contracted 
by  a  convulsive  motion  ;  and  by  the  expression  of  their  counten- 
ances, inferences  might  unerringly  have  been  drawn  of  the  first 
uses  they  would  have  made  of  their  liberty.  This  disposition  was 
particularly  discernible  in  those  men  only  convicted  of  petty 
offences,  who  were  taunted  and  bantered  as  only  having  stolen 
objects  of  small  value ;  and  then,  after  estimating  the  plunder  of 
the  wardrobe  at  twenty  millions  of  francs,  Deschamps  added,  with 
an  air  of  contempt  towards  a  poor  devil  sentenced  for  stealing 
vegetables,  'Ah  !  ah  !  this  was  cabbage.' 

From  the  moment  when  the  robbery  was  perpetrated  it  became 
the  subject  of  multiplied  comments,  which  circumstances  and  agita- 
tion of  mind  rendered  very  singular  It  was  during  the  meeting  of 
the  representatives  on  the  Sunday  evening  (i 6th  of  September, 
792),  that  Roland,  Minister  of  the  Interior,  announced  the  event 
to  the  tribune  of  the  convention,  complaining  bitterly  of  the  in- 


138  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

efficient  surveillance  of  the  agents  and  the  military  guards,  who 
had  forsaken  their  posts,  under  pretext  of  the  severity  of  the  cold.' 
Some  days  afterwards,  Thuriot,  who  was  one  of  the  commission 
charged  with  searching  out  the  matter,  in  his  turn  accused  the 
minister  of  carelessness,  who  answered  drily,  that  he  had  something 
else  to  do  besides  watching  the  wardrobe.  The  discussion  rested 
here,  but  these  debates  had  aroused  the  public  attention,  and  the 
sole  public  theme  was  of  guilty  collusions,  and  plots  framed  for 
robbery,  of  which  the  produce  was  devoted  to  keeping  the  police 
agents  in  pay  ;  they  went  so  far  as  to  say,  that  the  Government  had 
robbed  itself;  and  what  gave  a  consistency  to  such  a  report,  was  the 
reprieves  granted  on  the  i8th  of  October  to  some  individuals  con- 
demned for  this  affair,  and  from  whom  confessions  were  expected. 
However,  on  the  22nd  of  February,  1797,  in  a  report  to  the 
Counseil  des  Anciens,  on  a  proposal  to  grant  a  reward  of  five 
thousand  francs  to  a  Madame  Corbin,  who  had  facilitated  the 
discovery  of  a  great  quantity  of  the  plundered  property,  Thiebault 
declared,  in  the  most  formal  manner,  that  this  event  was  not  the 
result  of  any  political  measure,  and  had  all  been  incurred  by  the 
defective  vigilance  of  the  police,  and  by  the  mismanagement  which 
pervaded  every  department  of  the  administration. 

At  the  beginning,  the  Moniteur  had  heated  the  imaginations  of 
the  most  wary,  by  speaking  of  forty  armed  robbers,  who  had  been 
surprised  in  the  wardrobe.  The  truth  is,  that  no  one  was  sur- 
prised ;  and  when  they  first  discovered  the  loss  of '  the  regent,' 
the  dauphin's  coral,  and  a  vast  many  other  jewels,  valued  at  seven- 
teen millions  of  francs,  for  four  successive  nights,  Deschamps, 
Bernard  Salles,  and  a  Portuguese  Jew,  named  Dacosta,  had  in 
their  turns  entered  the  apartments,  without  any  other  arms  than 
the  tools  requisite  to  extract  the  jewels  set  in  the  plate,  which  they 
disdained  to  carry  off;  and  thus  they  removed  with  the  greatest 
precaution  the  magnificent  rubies  which  formed  the  eyes  of  the 
ivory  fishes. 

Deschamps,  to  whom  belongs  the  honour  of  the  invention,  first 
got  into  the  gallery  by  climbing  a  window,  by  means  of  a  lamp- 
post, at  the  angle  of  the  Rue  Royale  and  the  Place  of  Louis  XV. 
Bernard  Salles  and  Dacosta,  who  kept  watch,  were  at  first  his  only 
comrades  :  but  on  the  third  night,  Benoit  Naid,  Philipponeau, 
Paumettes,  Fraumont,  Gay,  Monton,  lieutenant  of  the  National 
Guard,  and  Durand,  called  '  le  Turc,'  a  jeweller  in  the  Rue  Saint 
Sauveur,  were  added  to  the  gang,  as  well  as  many  first-rate  *  cracks 
men,'  who  had  been,  in  a  friendly  way,  invited  to  come  and  partici- 
;  >ate  in  the  spoil.  The  rendezvous  was  at  a  billiard-room  in  the  Ri  •? 
e  Rohan  :  and,  besides,  they  made  so  little  mystery  of  the  robber} 


DESCHAMPS.  139 


that  cne  morning  after  the  first  booty,  Paumettes,  dining  with  some 
girls  at  a  cookshop  in  the  Rue  d'Argenteuil,  threw  on  the  table  to 
them  a  handful  of  rose  and  small  brilliant  diamonds.  The  police, 
however,  got  no  information.  To  detect  the  principal  authors  it  was 
necessary  that  Durand,  arrested  for  forging  assignats,  should 
confess  to  obtain  his  own  pardon,  and,  on  his  information,  *  the 
regent '  was  discovered  and  seized  at  Tours,  sewn  up  in  the  head- 
dress of  a  woman  named  Lebiene,  who,  unable  to  reach  England 
in  consequence  of  the  war,  was  about  to  sell  it  at  Bordeaux  to  a 
Jew,  known  to  Dacosta.  They  had  attempted  to  get  rid  of  it  in 
Paris,  but  the  value  of  the  gem,  estimated  at  twelve  millions  of 
francs,  would  have  awakened  dangerous  suspicions ;  they  had  also 
given  up  the  idea  of  cutting  the  stone,  lest  the  lapidary  should 
betray  them. 

Before  having  been  sentenced  for  the  robbery  of  the  wardrobe, 
Deschamps  had  been  implicated  in  a  capital  affair,  whence  he  was 
extricated,  although  so  guilty,  as  he  boasced  to  us,  by  giving  details 
not  to  be  doubted.  He  had  been  concerned  in  the  double  murder 
of  the  jeweller  Deslong  and  his  servant  maid,  committed  with  his 
accomplice,  the  broker  Fraumont 

Deslong  had  an  extensive  business,  and  besides  private  pur- 
chases, he  also  bartered  diamonds  and  pearls;  and  as  he  was 
known  to  be  an  honest  man,  he  often  had  valuable  gems  intrusted 
to  him,  either  to  sell  or  unset.  He  also  frequented  auctions,  when 
Fraumont  first  knew  him,  who  was  constantly  at  sales  to  buy  the 
ropes,  altar  cloths,  and  other  pillaged  church  ornaments  (1793), 
which  he  burnt  to  get  the  metal  from  the  gold  lace.  From  the 
custom  of  meeting  together  so  frequently  in  business,  a  sort  of  ac 
quaintance  sprang  up  between  the  two  men,  which  soon  became  a 
closer  intimacy.  Deslong  had  no  concealment  with  Fraumont, 
and  consulted  him  in  all  his  undertakings,  informed  him  of  the 
worth  of  all  the  deposits  intrusted  to  him,  and  even  confided  to 
him  the  secret  of  a  hiding-place  in  which  he  kept  his  most 
valuable  articles. 

Informed  of  all  these  particulars,  and  having  free  access  at  all 
times  to  Deslong's  house,  Fraumont  conceived  the  project  o' 
robbing  him  whilst  he  and  his  wife  were  at  the  theatre,  which  they 
frequented.  He  wanted  an  accomplice  to  keep  watch ;  and,  beside, 
it  would  have  been  dangerous  for  Fraumont  ,whom  everybody  knew, 
to  be  seen  on  the  premises  on  the  day  of  the  robbery.  He  first  se- 
lected a  locksmith,  a  fugitive  convict,  who  made  the  false  keys 
necessary  for  entering  Deslong's  house ;  but  this  man,  being 
pursued  by  the  police,  was  forced  to  leave  Paris,  and  he  then  sub- 
stituted Deschamps. 


140  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

On  the  day  fixed  for  the  perpetration  of  the  robbery,  Deslong 
and  his  wife  having  gone  to  the  Theatre  de  la  Republique,  Frau 
mont  concealed  himself  at  a  vintner's  to  watch  for  the  return  of 
the  servant  maid,  who  usually  took  advantage  of  the  absence  of 
her  master  and  mistress  to  go  and  see  her  lover.  Deschamps  went 
up  to  the  apartment,  and  opened  the  door  gently  with  one  of  his 
false  keys.  What  was  his  astonishment  to  see  in  the  hall  the  maid 
servant,  whom  he  thought  absent  (her  sister,  who  was  much  like 
her,  having  in  fact  left  the  house  a  few  minutes  before).  At  the 
sight  of  Deschamps,  whose  surprise  made  his  countenance  even 
more  frightful,  the  girl  let  fall  her  work  and  shrieked.  Deschamps 
sprang  upon  her,  threw  her  down,  seized  her  throat,  and  gave  her 
ive  blows  with  a  clasp  knife,  which  he  had  about  him,  in  the 
ight-hand  pocket  of  his  trousers.  The  unhappy  creature  fell 
bathed  in  blood,  and  whilst  the  death  rattle  was  yet  sounding  in 
ier  throat,  the  ruffian  ransacked  every  corner  of  the  room  :  but 
vhether  this  unexpected  event  disturbed  him,  or  that  he  heard 
ome  noise  on  the  staircase,  he  only  carried  off  some  pieces  of 
,;late  which  came  to  hand,  and  returned  to  his  accomplice  at  the 
vintner's  and  told  him  the  adventure.  He  (Fraumont)  was  much 
grieved,  not  at  the  murder  of  the  servant,  but  at  the  little  infor- 
mation and  clumsiness  of  Deschamps,  whom  he  reproached  with 
not  having  discovered  the  secret  closet  which  he  had  so  plainly 
pointed  out  ;  and  what  put  the  cope-stone  on  his  discontent  was, 
that  he  foresaw  that  after  such  a  catastrophe  Deslong  would  be 
more  careful  of  his  property,  and  it  would  be  impossible  ever  again 
fo  get  such  an  opportunity. 

In  fact,  Deslong  did  change  his  lodging  after  this  event,  which 
nspired  him  with  the  most  excessive  fright,  and  the  few  persons 
vhose  visits  he  allowed  were  received  with  the  greatest  precaution. 
Although  Fraumont  did  not  present  himself,  yet  he  had  no 
uspicion  of  him.  How  could  he  suspect  a  man  who,  if  he  had 
•erpetrated  the  crime,  would  not  have  failed  to  have  ransacked 
he  closet,  of  which  he  knew  the  secret  ?  Meeting  him  at  the  end 
)f  a  few  days  on  the  Place  Vendome,  he  pressed  him  strongly  to 
ome  and  see  him,  and  became  more  intimate  with  him  than  ever. 
Kraumont  then  began  plotting  again ;  but,  despairing  of  breaking 
open  the  new  place  of  security,  which,  besides,  was  carefully 
guarded,  he  determined  on  changing  his  plan.  Led  to  Deschamp's 
house,  under  pretence  of  bargaining  for  a  large  lot  of  diamonds, 
Deslong  was  assassinated  and  robbed  of  seventeen  thousand  francs, 
in  gold  and  assigna;s,  with  which  he  had  provided  himself  by  advice 
of  Fraumont,  who  dealt  him  the  first  stab. 

Two  days  elapsed,  and  Madame  Deslong,  not  seeing  her  husband 


FRAUMONT.  141 

return,  who  never  made  so  long  an  absence  without  a  previous 
intimation,  and  knowing  that  he  had  considerable  property  about 
him,  no  longer  doubted  but  that  some  misfortune  had  befallen 
him.  She  then  went  to  the  police,  they  contrived  to  get  hold  of 
Fraumont  and  Deschamps ;  and  the  confession  of  the  locksmith, 
which  corresponded  with  the  accounts  of  the  robbery,  and  who 
was  apprehended  soon  after,  would  have  had  an  unpropitious 
termination  for  them,  had  not  the  authorities  refused  to  give  this 
man  the  liberty  they  had  promised  to  reward  him  with ;  and  the 
police  agent,  Cordat,  who  had  been  the  go-between,  unwilling  that 
his  promises  should  be  broken,  aided  his  escape  on  the  way  from 
La  Force  to  the  Palace.  This  circumstance  removing  the  only 
witness  who  could  be  brought  forward,  Deschamps  and  Fraumont 
were  set  at  liberty. 

Condemned  afterwards  to  eighteen  years'  imprisonment  for 
other  robberies,  Fraumont  set  out  for  the  Bagne  at  Rochefort ;  but 
he  was  not  yet  out  of  courage,  and  by  means  of  money,  produced 
by  his  plunder,  he  had  bribed  several  persons  who  were  to  follow 
the  chain  to  aid  his  escape,  in  case  he  should  attempt  it,  or  even 
to  carry  him  off  by  force,  if  need  should  be.  The  use  he  proposed 
to  make  of  his  liberty  was  to  assassinate  M.  Delalande,  high  presi- 
dent of  the  tribunal  which  had  condemned  him,  and  commissary 
of  the  police  of  the  Section  de  I'Unite',  who  had  brought  such 
overwhelming  charges  against  him.  All  was  ripe  for  the  execu- 
tion of  this  plot,  when  a  common  woman,  who  had  learned  the 
details  from  the  lips  of  one  of  the  accomplices,  made  a  spon- 
taneous confession,  and  measures  were  accordingly  taken.  The 
escort  was  informed  of  it ;  and  when  the  chain  left  Bicetre,  Frau- 
mont was  put  in  extra  chains,  which  were  not  removed  until  his 
arrival  at  Rochefort,  where  he  was  an  object  of  special  vigilance  ; 
and  I  was  told  that  he  died  at  the  Bagne.  As  for  Deschamps, 
who  escaped  from  Toulon  soon  after,  he  was  apprehended  at  the 
end  of  three  years,  as  concerned  in  a  robbery  committed  at 
Auteuil,  sentenced  to  death  by  the  criminal  tribunal  of  the  Seine, 
and  executed  at  Paris. 

In  cell  No.  3,  I  was  only  separated  from  Deschamps  by  a 
burglar  named  Louis  Mulot,  son  of  that  Cornu  who  so  lorg 
affrighted  the  people  of  Normandy,  where  his  crimes  are  still  un- 
forgotten.  Disguised  as  a  horse-dealer,  he  frequented  the  fairs, 
watched  the  merchants  who  had  large  sums  about  them,  and 
taking  the  cross  roads,  laid  in  wait  for  and  assassinated  them. 
Married,  for  the  third  time,  to  a  young  and  pretty  woman  of 
Bernai,  he  had  at  first  carefully  concealed  from  her  his  infernal 
trade  ;  but  he  was  not  slow  in  discovering  that  she  was  entirely 


142  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

worthy  of  him,  and  thenceforward  she  accompanied  him  in  all  his 
expeditions.  Frequenting  all  the  fairs  as  a  peripatetic  mercer,  she 
easily  introduced  herself  to  the  rich  graziers  of  the  valley  of  Auge, 
and  more  than  one  met  his  death  at  the  appointed  spot  of  gallant 
rendezvous.  Often  suspected,  they  brought  forward  alibis,  always 
successful,  and  for  which  they  were  indebted  to  the  fleetness  of  the 
excellent  horses  with  which  they  were  always  provided. 

In  1794,  the  Cornu  family  consisted  of  the  father,  mother,  three 
sons,  two  daughters,  and  their  lovers,  all  of  whom  had  been 
habituated  to  crime  from  their  earliest  childhood,  either  in  keeping 
watch  or  setting  fire  to  barns,  etc.  The  youngest,  Florentine, 
having  at  first  testified  some  repugnance,  they  had  cured  her  deli- 
cacy by  compelling  her  to  carry  in  her  apron,  for  two  leagues,  the. 
head  of  a  farmer  of  the  environs  of  Argentin  ! 

At  a  later  period,  entirely  devoid  of  any  tender  scruples,  she 
had,  as  her  lover,  the  assassin  Capelle,  executed  in  1802.  When 
the  family  formed  itself  into  a  band  of  Chauffeurs  to  infest  the 
country  (Caen  and  Falaise),  it  was  she  who  put  to  the  torture  the 
wretched  farmers,  by  putting  a  lighted  candle  under  their  armpits, 
or  placing  blazing  tinder  on  their  toes  (whence  the  name  of 
Chauffeurs  or  burners). 

Hotly  pursued  by  the  police  of  Caen,  and  particularly  by  that 
of  Rouen,  who  had  apprehended  two  of  the  juniors  of  the  family 
at  Brionne,  Cornu  resolved  on  retiring  for  some  time  to  the 
vicinity  of  Paris,  trusting  thus  to  elude  inquiry.  Installed  with  his 
family  in  a  lone  house,  on  the  road  to  Sevres,  he  did  not  fear  to 
take  his  walks  in  the  Champs-Elysees,  where  he  met  nearly  all  the 
robbers  of  his  acquaintance.  '  Well,  Father  Cornu/  said  they  to 
him  one  day,  '  what  are  you  about  now  ?'— '  Oh,  always  administer- 
ing the  last  consolation  (assassination),  my  sons — the  last  consola- 
tion.' '  That  is  droll,  Father  Cornu  ;  but  discovery  may  ensue.' — • 
'  Oh !  no  fear  where  no  witnesses.  If  I  had  done  for  all  the 
corn-thrashers  (farmers)  whom  I  have  only  singed,  I  should  have 
nothing  to  funk  about  now.' 

In  one  of  his  excursions,  Cornu  met  an  old  comrade,  who  pro- 
posed to  him  to  break  into  a  villa,  situated  in  the  wood  of  Ville 
d'Avray.  The  robbery  was  committed  and  the  booty  shared,  but 
Cornu  found  that  he  had  been  duped.  On  reaching  the  middle 
of  the  wood,  he  let  fall  his  snuff-box  whilst  offering  it  to  his  com- 
panion, who  stooped  to  pick  it  up,  and  at  that  very  instant  Cornu 
blew  out  his  brains  with  a  pistol-shot,  plundered  him,  and  regained 
his  own  house,  where  he  told  the  tale  to  his  family  with  bursts  of 
laughter. 

Apprehended  near  Vernon,  at  the  moment  he  was  breaking  into 


CORNU.  143 

a  farm,  Comu  was  conducted  to  Rouen,  tried  before  the  Criminal 
Court,  and  sentenced  to  death.  Soon  after  this,  his  wife,  who  was 
still  at  liberty,  came  every  day  to  bring  him  food  and  console  him. 
1  Listen,'  said  she  to  him  one  morning,  when  he  appeared  more 
dejected  than  usual,  '  listen,  Joseph  :  they  say  that  death  affrights 
you — don't  play  the  noodle,  at  all  events,  when  they  lead  you  to 
the  scaffold.  The  lads  of  the  game  will  laugh  at  you.' 

1  Yes,'  said  Cornu,  *  all  that  is  very  fine,  if  one's  scrag  was  not  in 
danger ;  but  with  Jack  Ketch  on  one  side,  and  the  black  sheep 
(clergyman)  on  the  other,  and  the  traps  (gendarmes)  behind,  it  is 
not  quite  so  pleasant  to  be  turned  into  food  for  flies.' 

'  Joseph,  Joseph,  do  not  talk  in  this  way  ;  I  am  only  a  woman, 
you  know  ;  but  I  could  go  through  it  as  if  at  a  wedding,  and  par- 
ticularly with  you,  old  lad  !  Yes,  I  tell  you  again,  by  the  word  of 
Marguerite,  I  would  willingly  accompany  you.' 

1  Are  you  in  earnest?'  asked  Cornu.  'Yes,  quite  in  earnest,' 
sighed  Marguerite.  '  But  what  are  you  getting  up  for  ?  What  are 
you  going  to  do  ?* 

1  Nothing,' replied  Cornu  ;  and  then,  going  to  a  turnkey  who  was 
in  the  passage,  *  Roch,'  said  he  to  him,  '  send  for  the  gaoler ;  I  want 
to  see  the  public  accuser.' 

'  What !'  said  his  wife,  *  the  public  accuser  !  Are  you  going  to 
split  (confess)  ?  Ah,  Joseph,  consider  what  a  reputation  you  will 
leave  for  our  children  !' 

Cornu  was  silent  until  the  magistrate  arrived,  and  he  then  de- 
nounced his  wife ;  and  this  unhappy  woman,  sentenced  to  death 
by  his  confessions,  was  executed  at  the  same  time  with  him. 
Mulct,  who  told  me  all  this,  never  repeated  the  narrative  without 
laughing  till  he  cried  However,  he  thought  the  guillotine  no 
subject  for  joking ;  and  for  a  long  time  avoided  all  crimes  that 
could  send  him  to  rejoin  his  father,  mother,  one  of  his  brothers, 
and  his  sister  Florentine,  all  executed  at  Rouen.  When  he  spoke 
of  them,  and  the  end  they  had  made,  he  frequently  said,  'This  is 
the  fruits  of  playing  with  fire  ;  they  shall  never  catch  me  at  such 
work  :'  and,  in  fact,  his  tricks  were  not  so  redoubtable :  he  con- 
fined himself  to  a  species  of  robbery  in  which  he  excelled.  His 
eldest  sister,  whom  he  had  brought  to  Paris,  aided  him  in  all  his 
enterprises.  Dressed  as  a  washerwoman,  with  a  pannier  at  her 
back  and  a  basket  on  her  arm,  she  went  to  all  the  houses  where 
there  was  no  porter,  and,  knocking  at  the  doors,  if  she  learnt  that 
the  occupants  were  from  home,  she  returned  and  told  Mulot. 
Then  he,  disguised  as  a  journeyman  locksmith,  went  with  his 
bunch  of  picklocks,  and  opened  the  most  complicated  locks. 
Frequently  his  sister,  to  avoid  suspicion,  with  her  apron  and  a 


144  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ, 

modest  cap  on,  and  with  the  disturbed  appearance  of  a  nurse 
who  had  lost  her  key,  aided  his  operations.  Mulot,  though  he 
did  not  want  foresight,  was  yet  one  day  surprised  in  the  very  act, 
and  soon  after  condemned  to  imprisonment. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Father  Mathieu — My  new  line  of  business — Ecco  Homo,  or  the  psalm-seller — 
A  fugitive  convict — My  best  contrived  escape — The  gay  lady  and  the  burial 
— I  detect  a  thief — I  get  my  dismissal. 

I  NEVER  was  so  wretched  as  after  my  entry  at  the  Bagne  at  Toulon. 
Cast  at  twenty-four  years  of  age  amongst  the  most  abandoned 
wretches,  and  necessarily  in  contact  with  them,  although  I  would 
have  preferred  a  hundred  times  to  be  reduced  to  living  in  the 
midst  of  people  infected  with  the  plague — compelled  only  to  see 
and  hear  degraded  beings,  whose  minds  were  incessantly  bent  on 
devising  evil  schemes,  I  feared  the  dire  contagion  of  such  vicious 
society.  When,  day  and  night,  in  my  presence,  they  openly  prac- 
tised the  most  vile  and  demoralized  actions,  I  was  not  so  confident 
in  the  strength  of  my  own  character  as  not  to  fear  that  I  might 
become  but  too  much  familiarized  with  such  atrocious  and  dan- 
gerous conversation.  In  fact,  I  had  resisted  many  dangerous 
temptations  ;  but  want,  misery,  and  the  thirst  of  liberty,  will  often 
involuntarily  tempt  us  to  a  step  towards  crime.  I  had  never  been 
in  any  situation  where  it  was  more  positively  incumbent  on  me  to 
attempt  an  escape  ;  and  henceforward  all  my  ideas  and  thoughts 
were  turned  to  the  compassing  of  this  measure.  Various  plans 
suggested  themselves,  but  that  was  not  sufficient  \  for  to  put  any 
of  them  into  execution  I  must  await  a  favourable  opportunity,  and 
until  then,  patience  was  the  only  remedy  for  my  woes.  Fastened 
to  the  same  bench  with  robbers  by  profession,  who  had  already 
escaped  several  times,  I  was,  as  well  as  they,  an  object  of  special 
surveillance,  which  it  was  difficult  to  divert.  In  their  cambrons 
(watch-boxes),  at  a  short  distance  from  us,  the  argousins  were 
always  on  the  look-out,  and  observed  our  least  motions.  Father 
Mathieu,  their  chief,  had  the  eyes  of  a  lynx,  and  such  a  knowledge 
of  the  men  he  had  to  deal  with,  that  he  could  tell  at  the  slightest 
glance  if  they  were  scheming  to  deceive  him.  This  old  fox  was 
nearly  sixty  years  of  age  ;  but  having  a  vigorous  constitution,  which 
seemed  proof  against  the  attacks  of  time,  he  was  still  hale  and 
hearty.  He  was  one  of  those  square  figures  which  never  wear  out. 
I  have  him  now  in  '  my  mind's  eye,'  with  his  little  tail,  his  grey 
and  powdered  locks,  and  his  face  in  wrinkles  so  congruous  with 
the  business  pf  his  calling.  He  never  spoke  without  mentioning 


TOY-MAKING.  145 

his  cudgel ;  it  was  a  never-ending  theme  of  pleasurable  recital  to 
talk  of  the  many  bastinadoes  he  had  inflicted  personally,  or  ordered 
to  be  done.  Always  at  war  with  the  convicts,  he  knew  every  one 
of  their  tricks.  His  mistrust  was  so  excessive,  that  he  often  accused 
them  of  plotting  when  they  were  not  at  all  thinking  of  it.  It  may 
be  supposed  that  it  was  no  easy  matter  to  make  a  sop  for  this 
Cerberus.  I  tried,  however,  to  procure  his  favour,  an  attempt  in 
which  no  one  had  as  yet  succeeded  :  but  I  soon  found  that  I  had 
not  essayed  in  vain  ;  for  I  perceptibly  gained  on  his  good  will. 
Father  Mathieu  sometimes  talked  to  me;  a  sign,  as  the  experienced 
told  me,  that  I  had  made  some  way  with  him.  I  thought  I  might 
ask  something  from  him  on  the  strength  of  this,  and  I  asked  him 
to  allow  me  to  make  children's  toys  with  the  pieces  of  wood 
brought  in  by  the  working  convicts.  He  granted  all  I  asked,  pro- 
vided I  was  steady  ;  and  the  next  day  I  began  my  work.  My 
companions  cut  out  roughly,  and  I  finished  the  toys.  Father 
Mathieu  approved  of  my  productions ;  and  when  he  saw  that  I 
had  assistance  in  my  work,  he  could  not  forbear  testifying  his 
approbation,  which  he  had  not  expressed  for  a  long  time  pre- 
viously. '  Well,  well  !'  said  he,  '  how  I  like  people  to  amuse 
themselves ;  it  would  be  well  if  you  all  did  the  same ;  it  would 
pass  time  away ;  and  with  the  profits  you  might  purchase  some 
small  comforts.'  A  few  days  afterwards,  the  bench  was  a  perfect 
workshop,  where  fourteen  men,  equally  anxious  to  drive  away 
ennui  and  earn  a  little  money,  worked  away  with  much  industry. 
We  had  all  some  goods  ready,  which  were  sold  by  the  assistants 
of  the  convicts  who  gave  us  the  materials.  For  a  month  our  trade 
was  very  brisk,  and  every  day  we  had  abundant  returns,  not  a  sous 
of  which  was  reserved.  Father  Mathieu  had  authorized  us  to 
appoint  as  our  treasurer  a  convict  named  Pantaragat,  who  sold 
provisions  in  the  room  in  which  we  were.  Unfortunately  there  are 
goods  which  cannot  be  multiplied  without  the  necessary  balance 
between  produce  and  consumption  being  destroyed.  Toulon 
was  replete  with  toys  of  every  description,  and  we  must  hence- 
forward sit  with  folded  arms.  No  longer  knowing  what  to  do,  I 
feigned  a  complaint  in  my  legs,  that  I  might  be  sent  to  the  hospital. 
The  doctor  to  whom  I  was  recommended  by  Father  Mathieu, 
whose  protege  I  had  become,  actually  believed  that  I  was  unable 
to  walk.  When  one  would  attempt  to  escape,  it  is  impossible  to 
manage  better  than  to  contrive  to  excite  such  an  opinion.  Doctor 
Ferrant  did  not  for  an  instant  suspect  me  of  an  intent  to  deceive 
him  ;  he  was  one  of  those  disciples  of  Esculapius,  who  think  that 
bluntness  is  a  part  of  their  profession  :  but  still  he  was  a  humane 
man,  and  behaved  very  kindly  to  me.  The  chief  surgeon  had  also 

JQ 


146  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

a  liking  for  me,  and  to  me  he  trusted  the  care  of  his  surgery  chest ; 
I  scraped  his  lint,  rolled  his  bandages,  and  made  myself  generally 
useful,  so  that  my  willingness  procured  for  me  his  kindness  :  every 
one,  even  to  the  argousin  of  the  infirmary,  behaved  well  to  me, 
although  no  one  could  exceed  in  sternness  M.  1'Homme  (that  was 
his  name),  whom  they  called  jokingly,  *  Ecce  Homo,'  because  he 
had  been  formerly  a  seller  of  psalms  and  canticles.  Although  I 
had  been  pointed  out  to  him  as  a  daring  fellow,  M.  1'Homme  was 
so  much  pleased  with  my  good  behaviour,  and  still  more  with  the 
bottles  of  mulled  wine  which  I  shared  with  him,  that  he  perceptibly 
became  more  humanized.  When  I  was  pretty  well  assured  that  I 
should  not  excite  his  suspicions,  I  unmasked  my  battery,  to  over- 
power his  vigilance,  as  well  as  that  of  his  fellow  guards.  I  had 
already  procured  a  wig  and  black  whiskers,  and  had,  besides,  con- 
cealed in  my  mattress  an  old  pair  of  boots,  which,  when  well 
waxed,  seemed  as  good  as  new ;  but  that  was  only  an  equipment 
for  my  head  and  feet :  to  complete  my  toilet,  I  relied  on  the  head 
surgeon,  who  used  to  lay  on  my  bed  his  great-coat,  hat,  cane,  and 
gloves.  One  morning,  whilst  he  was  engaged  in  amputating  an  arm, 
I  saw  that  M.  1'Homme  had  followed  him  to  assist  in  the  operation, 
which  was  performed  at  the  extremity  of  one  of  the  wards  :  the 
opportunity  for  a  disguise  was  admirable,  and  I  hastened  to  com- 
plete it ;  and,  in  my  new  costume,  I  went  straight  to  the  door.  I 
had  to  pass  through  a  crowd  of  argousins,  but  I  ventured  boldly, 
and  none  of  them  appeared  to  pay  any  attention  to  me,  and  I 
already  thought  myself  out  of  danger,  when  I  heard  a  cry,  '  Stop 
him,  stop  him  •  a  prisoner  has  escaped !'  I  was  not  more 
than  twenty  steps  from  the  arsenal,  and,  without  losing  my  pre- 
sence of  mind,  I  redoubled  my  speed,  and  having  got  to  the  door, 
I  said  to  the  guard,  pointing  to  a  person  who  was  just  entering 
the  city,  *  Run  with  me,  he  has  escaped  from  the  hospital.' 

This  would,  perhaps,  have  saved  me;  but,  just  as  I  stepped 
over  the  wicket,  I  was  seized  by  the  wig,  and  on  turning  round, 
saw  M.  1'Homme  :  resistance  would  have  been  certain  death  ;  and 
I  therefore  quietly  followed  him  back  to  the  Bagne,  where  I  was 
put  to  the  double  chain.  It  was  evident  that  I  was  to  undergo 
punishment,  and  to  avoid  it,  I  cast  myself  on  my  knees  before  the 
commissary,  saying,  '  Oh,  sir,  do  not  let  me  be  beaten ;  that  is  the 
only  favour  I  ask ;  I  would  rather  undergo  three  years'  additional 
confinement'  The  commissary,  however  touching  my  petition 
might  have  been,  could  not  keep  his  countenance ;  but  told  me, 
that  he  would  pardon  me  on  account  of  my  boldness  and  ingenuity, 
on  condition  that  I  would  point  out  the  person  who  had  procured 
ne  the  disguise.  *  You  must  be  aware,'  I  replied  to  him,  '  that 


A  NEW  SCHEME.  147 

the  people  who  guard  us  are  wretches,  who  will  do  anything  for 
money,  but  nothing  in  the  world  shall  induce  me  to  betray  mose 
who  serve  me.'  Pleased  with  my  frankness,  he  ordered  me  to  be 
released  from  the  double  chain  ;  and  when  the  argousin  murmured 
at  so  much  indulgence,  he  desired  him  to  be  silent,  adding,  *  You 
ought  to  like,  rather  than  be  angry  with,  him,  for  he  has  just  given 
you  a  lesson  which  you  would  do  well  to  profit  by.'  I  thanked 
the  commissary,  and  the  next  moment  was  conducted  to  the  fatal 
bench  to  which  I  was  to  be  fastened  for  the  next  six  years.  I  then 
flattered  myself  with  the  hopes  of  returning  to  my  trade  of  toy- 
making,  but  Father  Mathieu  refusing  me,  I  was  compelled  un- 
willingly to  remain  unemployed.  Two  months  elapsed  without 
any  change  in  my  circumstances,  when  one  night,  being  unable  to 
sleep,  there  flashed  through  my  brain  one  of  those  luminous  ideas 
which  only  occur  in  darkness.  Jossas  was  awake,  and  I  mentioned 
it  to  him.  It  may  be  surmised  that  he  was  always  intent  on  effect- 
ing his  escape,  and  he  thought  it  admirably  wonderful  as  I  had. 
devised  it,  and  begged  me  not  to  fail  putting  it  into  execution.  It 
will  be  seen  that  I  did  not  neglect  his  advice.  One  morning, 
the  commissary  of  the  Bagne  going  his  rounds,  passed  near  me,, 
and  I  begged  leave  to  speak  to  him  in  private.  '  What  do  you 
want  ?'  said  he.  '  Have  you  any  complaint  to  make  ?  Speak,  my 
man  ;  speak  out,  and  I  will  do  you  justice.'  Encouraged  by  the 
kindness  of  this  language,  I  said,  '  Good  sir,  you  see  before  you  a 
second  example  of  an  honest  criminal.  You  may,  perhaps,  re- 
member that  on  coming  here,  I  told  you  that  I  was  put  in  my 
brother's  place.  I  do  not  accuse  him  ;  I  am  even  pleased  at  think- 
ing he  was  ignorant  of  the  crime  imputed  to  him ;  but  it  was  he, 
who,  under  my  name,  was  condemned  by  the  Court  at  Douai ;  he 
escaped  from  the  Bagne  at  Brest,  and  now,  having  reached 
England,  he  is  free,  and  I,  the  victim  of  a  sad  mistake,  must 
submit  to  punishment.  Alas !  how  fatal  to  me  has  been  our 
resemblance  ! 

*  Without  this  circumstance,  I  should  not  have  been  taken  to 
Bicetre ;  the  keeper  would  not  have  sworn  to  my  person.  In  vain 
have  I  begged  for  an  inquiry ;  it  is  because  their  testimony  has 
been  received,  that  an  identity  is  allowed  which  does  not  exist. 
But  the  error  is  consummated,  and  I  have  much  to  bewail  !  I 
know  that  it  is  not  with  you  to  alter  a  decision  from  which  there 
is  no  appeal,  but  it  is  a  favour  you  may  grant  to  me :  to  be  sure  of 
me,  I  am  placed  in  a  cell  with  suspected  men,  where  I  am  with  a 
herd  of  robbers,  assassins,  and  hardened  ruffians.  At  every  moment 
I  tremble  at  the  recital  of  crimes  which  have  been  committed,  as 
well  as  at  the  hopes  of  those  who  are  plotting  others,  to  be  per* 

10 — 2 


J-lS  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

petrated  the  moment,  if  it  ever  arrives,  they  shall  get  free  from 
their  fetters.  Ah  !  I  beg  you,  in  the  name  of  every  sentiment  of 
humanity,  to  leave  me  no  longer  amongst  a  set  of  such  abandoned 
miscreants.  Put  me  in  a  dungeon,  load  me  with  chains,  do  with 
me  whatever  you  will,  but  do  not  leave  me  any  longer  with  them. 
Jf  I  have  endeavoured  to  escape,  it  has  been  only  that  I  might  get 
away  from  such  a  sink  of  infamy.'  (At  this  moment  I  turned 
towards  the  convicts.)  'You  may  see,  sir,  how  ferociously  they 
gaze  at  me ;  they  already  prepare  to  make  me  repent  of  what  I 
am  saying  to  you  ;  they  pant,  they  burn,  to  bathe  their  hands  in 
my  blood  :  once  more  I  conjure  you,  do  not  give  me  up  to  the 
vengeance  of  these  atrocious  monsters.' 

During  this  discourse,  the  convicts  were  petrified  with  astonish- 
ment; they  could  not  conceive  that  one  of  their  comrades  would 
thus  upbraid  them  in  their  very  teeth  ;  the  commissary  himself  did 
not  know  what  to  think  of  such  a  step ;  he  was  silent,  and  I  saw 
that  I  had  touched  him  deeply.  Then,  throwing  myself  at  his  feet, 
with  tears  in  my  eyes,  I  added,  *  Pity  me ;  if  you  refuse  me,  if  you 
go  without  removing  me  from  this  room,  you  shall  never  see  me 
again.'  These  words  produced  the  desired  effect.  The  commissary, 
who  was  a  worthy  man,  had  me  unloosed  in  his  presence,  and 
gave  orders  that  I  should  be  placed  with  the  working  convicts.  I 
was  yoked  with  a  man  named  Salesse,  a  Gascon,  as  knavish  as  a 
convict  may  be.  The  first  time  we  were  alone,  he  asked  me  if  I 
intended  to  escape.  '  I  have  no  thoughts  of  it,'  replied  I ;  *  I  am 
but  too  glad  that  they  allow  me  to  work.'  But  Jossas  possessed 
my  secret,  and  he  arranged  all  for  my  escape.  I  had  a  plain  dress 
which  I  concealed  under  my  galley  clothes  without  the  knowledge 
even  of  my  yoke-fellow.  A  moving  screw  had  supplied  the  place 
of  the  rivet  in  my  fetters,  and  I  was  ready  to  start.  The  third  day 
after  leaving  my  companions  I  went  out  to  labour,  and  presemed 
myself  before  the  argousin  ;  *  Get  along,  good-for-nought,'  said 
Father  Mathieu,  'it  is  not  time.'  I  was  in  the  rope-room,  and  the 
place  appeared  propitious.  I  told  my  companion  that  I  had  a  call 
of  nature,  and  he  pointed  out  some  pieces  of  wood  behind  which 
I  could  go,  and  he  was  scarcely  out  of  sight,  when  throwing  off  my 
red  shirt,  and  taking  out  the  screw,  I  ran  towards  the  basin.  The 
jfrigate  La  Meuron  was  then  under  repair,  which  had  brought 
]Buonaparte  and  his  suite  from  Egypt.  I  went  on  board  and  asked 
for  the  master  carpenter,  whom  I  knew  to  be  in  the  hospital.  The 
cook,  whom  I  accosted,  took  me  for  one  of  the  new  crew.  I  was 
rejoiced  at  this,  and  to  confirm  the  idea,  as  I  knew  him  to  be  a 
man  of  Auvergne,  by  his  accent,  I  began  conversing  with  him  in 
his  own  provincial  dialect,  and  in  a  tone  of  nuch  assurance. 


ZSCAPE&.  149 

although  I  was  on  thorns  the  whole  time  j  for  forty  Couples  of 
convicts  were  at  work  close  to  us.  They  might  recognise  me  in  a 
moment.  A  cargo  soon  set  off  for  the  town,  and  I  jumped  into 
the  boat,  when,  seizing  an  oar,  I  rowed  away  like  an  old  sailor  and  we 
soon  reached  Toulon.  Anxious  to  reach  the  country,  I  went  to  the 
Italian  gate,  but  no  one  was  allowed  to  go  without  a  green  card 
given  by  the  magistrates,  and  I  was  refused  egress,  and  whilst  I 
was  thinking  how  I  could  get  out,  I  heard  the  three  reports  of  the 
cannon  which  announced  my  escape.  At  this  moment  a  tremor 
pervaded  all  my  limbs ;  already  did  I  see  myself  in  the  power  of 
the  argousins,  and  all  the  police  of  the  Bagne.  I  pictured  myself 
in  presence  of  the  excellent  commissary,  whom  I  had  so  basely 
deceived.  If  I  were  taken  I  must  be  lost.  These  sad  reflections 
coming  over  me,  I  walked  away  in  haste,  and  that  I  might  avoid  a 
crowd,  betook  myself  to  the  ramparts. 

On  reaching  a  solitary  spot,  I  walked  very  slowly,  like  a  man 
who,  not  knowing  whither  to  bend  his  steps,  is  full  of  consideration, 
when  a  female  accosted  me,  and  asked  me  in  provincial  French 
what  the  hour  was  ;  I  told  her  that  I  did  not  know,  and  she  then 
began  talking  of  the  weather,  and  concluded  by  asking  me  to  ac- 
company her  home  :  *  It  is  only  a  few  yards  hence/  she  added,  *  and 
no  one  will  see  us.'  The  opportunity  of  finding  a  place  of  refuge 
was  too  propitious  to  be  refused,  and  I  followed  my  conductress 
to  a  sort  of  small  inn,  when  I  sent  for  some  refreshment.  Whilst 
we  were  conversing  together,  three  other  cannon  shots  were  heard. 
'  Ah,'  cried  the  girl,  with  an  air  of  satisfaction,  '  there  is  a  second' 
escape  to-day.'  '  What  !'  said  I,  '  my  lass,  does  that  please  you  ? 
Should  not  you  like  to  get  the  reward  ?'  '  I,  why,  you  cannot  know 
much  of  me.'  '  Bah,  bah,'  I  replied,  *  fifty  francs  are  always  worth 
earning,  and  if  I  swear  to  you  that  if  one  of  these  fellows  fall  into 

my  clutches .'    '  You  are  a  wretch  !'  she  said,  making  a  gesture 

of  indignation.  *  I  am  on'y  a  poor  girl,  but  Celestine  would  never 
eat  the  bread  earned  by  means  so  despicable.'  At  these  words, 
) >ronounced  with  an  accent  of  truth  which  left  no  doubt  on  my 
mind  of  her  sincerity,  I  did  not  hesitate  to  confide  my  secret  to 
her.  As  soon  as  I  had  informed  her  that  I  was  a  convict,  I  cannot 
express  how  much  she  appeared  interested  in  my  fate.  '  Mon 
Dieu  !'  she  said,  '  they  are  so  much  to  be  pitied ;  I  would  save 
them  all,  and  have  already  saved  many  ;'  then,  after  pausing  for 
an  instant,  as  if  to  consider,  '  Let  me  manage  it,'  she  then  added ; 
'  I  have  a  lover  who  has  a  green  card ;  I  will  borrow  it  from  him, 
and  you  shall  use  it,  and,  once  out  of  the  city,  you  can  deposit  it 
under  a  stone  which  1  will  point  out  to  you,  and  in  the  interim,  as 
we  are  not  in  security  here,  I  will  take  you  to  my  apartment.'  On 


i$o  MEMOIRS  OF  VWOCQ. 

teaching  this,  she  told  me  that  she  must  leave  me  for  a  moment. 
*  I  must  tell  my  lover,'  said  she,  '  and  will  speedily  return.1 
Women  are  sometimes  most  admirable  actresses,  and,  in  spite  of 
her  kind  protestations,  I  feared  some  treachery.  Perhaps 
Celestine  was  going  to  denounce  me ;  she  had  not  reached  the 
street,  when  I  ran  down  the  staircase.  '  Well,  well,'  cried  the  girl, 
'  do  not  fear.  If  you  mistrust  me,  come  along  with  me.'  I  thought 
it  most  prudent  to  watch  her,  and  we  walked  away  together, 
whither  I  knew  not.  Scarcely  had  we  gone  ten  yards,  when  we 
met  a  funeral  procession.  *  Follow  the  burial,'  said  my  protectress, 
'  and  you  will  escape ;'  and  before  I  had  time  to  thank  her,  she 
disappeared.  The  followers  were  numerous,  and  I  mixed  amongst 
the  crowd  of  assistants,  and,  that  I  might  not  be  thought  a  stranger 
at  the  ceremony,  I  entered  into  conversation  with  an  old  sailor, 
from  whose  communications  I  soon  learnt  how  to  utter  a  few  well- 
timed  remarks  on  the  virtues  of  the  defunct.  I  was  soon  convinced 
that  Celestine  had  not  betrayed  me.  When  I  left  the  ramparts 
behind  me,  which  it  had  been  of  such  paramount  importance  for 
:me  to  pass,  I  almost  wept  for  joy ;  but  that  I  might  not  betray 
-.myself,  I  still  kept  up  a  strain  of  suitable  lamentations. 

On  reaching  the  cemetery  I  advanced  in  my  turn  to  the  edge 
of  the  grave,  and  after  having  cast  a  handful  of  earth  on  che  coffin, 
I  separated  from  the  company  by  taking  a  circuitous  path.  I 
walked  on  for  many  hours  without  losing  sight  of  Toulon,  and 
-about  five  o'clock  in  the  evening,  just  as  I  was  entering  a  grove 
•of  firs,  I  saw  a  man  armed  with  a  gun.  As  he  was  well  clad,  and 
liad  a  game-bag,  my  first  thought  was  that  he  was  a  huntsman  ; 
tut  observing  the  butt  of  a  pistol  projecting  from  his  girdle,  I  feared 
that  I  had  met  with  one  of  these  Provencals,  who,  at  the  sound  of 
the  cannon,  always  scour  the  country  in  search  of  the  runaway 
galley-slaves.  If  my  fears  were  just,  flight  was  unavailing ;  and  it 
was  perhaps  best  to  advance  rather  than  retreat  This  I  did,  and 
on  approaching  him  sufficiently  close  to  be  on  my  guard,  in 
case  he  should  show  any  hostilities,  I  asked  the  road  to  Aix. 

'  Do  you  want  the  highroad  or  the  byway  ?'  said  he,  with 
peculiar  emphasis. 

'  Oh,  either,  no  matter  which,'  I  answered,  hoping  by  my  in- 
difference to  remove  his  suspicions. 

'  In  that  case,  follow  this  path — it  leads  to  the  station  of  the  gen- 
darmes ;  and  if  you  do  not  like  travelling  alone,  you  can  avail 
yourself  of  the  escort' 

At  this  word  '  gendarmes '  I  turned  pale,  and  the  stranger, 
perceiving  the  effect  his  words  had  produced,  added,  *  Come,  come ; 
J  see  you  are  not  over-anxious  to  travel  on  the  highway.  Well, 


A  GUIDE.  151 

if  you  are  not  in  a  very  great  hurry,  I  will  conduct  you  to  the 
village  of  Pourieres,  which  is  not  two  leagues  from  Aix. 

He  seemed  so  well  acquainted  with  the  localities,  that  I  availed 
myself  of  his  offer,  and  consented  to  follow  him.  Then,  without 
stirring,  he  pointed  out  a  clump  of  bushes,  where  he  bid  me  await 
his  joining  me.  Two  hours  passed  before  he  finished  his  guard, 
and  he  then  came  to  me.  '  Get  up/  said  he.  I  obeyed,  and 
when  I  thought  myself  in  the  thickest  of  the  wood,  I  found  myself 
at  the  borders  of  it,  about  fifty  paces  from  a  house,  in  front  of 
which  were  seated  several  gendarmes.  At  the  sight  of  their 
uniforms,  I  started.  '  What  ails  you,  man  ?'  asked  my  guide ; 
'  do  you  think  I  would  betray  you  ?  If  you  fear  anything,  take 
these  and  defend  yourself;'  at  the  same  time  offering  me  his 
pistols,  which  I  refused.  *  Well,  well ,'  he  added,  and  squeezed 
my  hand,  to  testify  how  much  he  was  satisfied  with  my  con- 
fidence. 

Concealed  by  the  bushes  which  skirted  our  path,  we  stopped. 
I  could  not  comprehend  the  motive  of  a  halt  so  near  the  enemy. 
Our  stay  was  protracted  till  nightfall,  when  we  saw  approaching 
from  Toulon  a  mail,  escorted  by  four  gendarmes,  who  were 
relieved  by  the  same  number  from  the  brigade  whose  vicinity  had 
so  much  alarmed  me.  The  mail  proceeded  on  its  journey,  and 
was  soon  out  of  sight.  My  companion  then,  taking  my  arm,  said 
in  an  under  tone,  '  Let  us  start,  nothing  can  be  done  to-day.' 

We  then  walked  away  in  an  opposite  direction  for  about  an  hour, 
and  my  guide,  going  up  to  a  tree,  clasped  the  trunk  in  his  hands, 
and  I  saw  that  he  was  counting  the  number  of  notches  cut  by  a 
knife — *  Good,  good  ;'  he  ejaculated,  with  an  air  of  satisfaction 
which  was  to  me  inexplicable,  and  taking  from  his  game-bag  a 
piece  of  bread,  which  he  divided  with  me,  he  then  gave  me  a  bottle, 
whence  I  drank  with  pleasure.  The  collation  could  not  have  been 
more  opportune,  for  I  was  in  want  of  something  to  recruit  my 
strength.  In  spite  of  the  darkness  we  walked  so  fast  that  I  was 
tired,  and  my  feet,  long  unused  to  exercise,  had  become  so  painful 
that  I  was  going  to  declare  it  impossible  for  me  to  proceed  farther, 
when  a  village  clock  struck  three.  '  Gently,'  said  my  guide, 
stooping  and  placing  his  ear  on  the  ground ;  *  do  as  I  do,  and 
listen ;  with  this  cursed  Polish  legion  one  must  be  always  on  the 
watch.  Did  you  hear  nothing  ?'  I  replied  that  I  thought  I  heard 
the  footsteps  of  a  body  of  men.  '  Yes,'  he  added,  *  it  is  they  ;  stir 
not,  on  your  life,  or  we  shall  be  taken.'  He  had  scarcely  spoken, 
when  a  patrol  guard  came  towards  the  thicket  in  which  we  weic 
concealed.  '  Did  you  see  anything,  you  fellows  ?'  said  some  one  in 
a  low  tone. — 'Nothing,  sergeant.' 


i$2  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

*  Parbleu  !    I  thought  so  ;  it  is  as  dark  as  an  oven.     This  devil 
of  a  Roman,  whom  heaven's  thunders  crush  !     To  make  us  travel 
all  night  like  wolves  in  a  wood  !     Ah,  if  ever  I  find  him,  or  any  of 
his  gang  !' 

*  Qui  vive  ?  (who  goes  there  ?)'  cried  a  soldier  suddenly. 
'What   do   you   see?'    said   the   sergeant— '  Nothing ;    but   I 

heard  a  breathing  on  this  side,'  and  he  indicated  the  spot  where 
we  were. 

'Stuff!  you  are  dreaming.  You  are  so  much  alarmed  about 
Roman,  that  you  think  that  you  always  have  him  in  your  cart- 
ridge-box.' 

Two  other  soldiers  asserted  that  they  had  heard  the  same. 

'  Hold  your  tongues/  replied  the  sergeant.  *  I  see  there  is 
nobody,  and  we  must  once  more,  according  to  custom,  return  to 
Pourieres  without  having  trapped  our  game.  Come,  my  lads,  it  is 
time  to  be  off.'  The  patrol  seemed  disposed  to  retreat.  '  It  is  a 
ruse  de  guerre]  said  my  companion.  '  I  know  they  will  beat  the 
wood  and  return  upon  us  in  a  semicircle.' 

It  was  now  necessary  that  I  should  be  firm  and  composed,  'Are 
you  fearful  ?'  said  my  guide. 

'  This  is  no  time  for  fear/  I  replied. 

'  Well,  then,  follow  me  :  here  are  my  pistols  ;  when  I  fire,  do 
you  the  same,  so  that  the  four  shots  only  sound  like  one  report. 
Now,  fire.' 

The  four  shots  were  fired,  and  we  then  ran  with  all  speed,  with- 
out being  pursued.  The  fear  of  falling  into  an  ambuscade  had 
made  the  soldiers  come  to  a  halt,  but  we  did  not  pause  from  our 
flight.  On  getting  near  an  isolated  hut,  the  stranger  said  to  me, 
4  It  is  now  daylight,  and  we  are  safe  :'  and  then,  leaping  the  pales 
of  the  garden,  he  took  a  key  from  the  hollow  trunk  of  a  tree,  and 
opening  the  door  of  the  cot,  we  immediately  entered. 

An  iron  lamp,  placed  on  the  mantel-piece,  lighted  up  a  plain  and 
rustic  apartment.  I  only  observed  in  a  corner  a  barrel,  containing, 
as  I  thought,  gunpowder,  and  near  it  on  a  shelf  was  a  quantity  of 
gun-cartridges.  A  woman's  attire  placed  on  a  chair,  with  one  of 
those  large  black  hats  worn  by  the  Provencal  peasants,  indicated 
the  presence  of  a  sleeping  female,  whose  heavy  breathing  reached 
our  ears.  Whilst  I  threw  a  rapid  glance  about  me,  my  guide  pro- 
duced from  an  old  trunk  a  quarter  of  a  kid,  some  onions,  oil,  and 
a  bottle  of  wine  :  he  invited  me  to  partake  of  a  repast,  of  which  I 
felt  in  the  greatest  need.  He  seemed  very  desirous  of  interrogating 
me,  but  I  ate  with  so  much  appetite  that  I  believe  he  felt  a  scruple 
of  conscience  in  interrupting  me.  When  I  had  finished,  which  was 
not  whilst  anything  remained  on  the  table,  he  led  me  to  a  sort  of 


A  REFUGE.  153 

loft,  assuring  me  that  I  was  in  perfect  safety,  and  then  left  me 
before  I  could  ask  if  he  was  going  to  stay  in  the  hut ;  but  scarcely 
had  I  stretched  myself  out  on  the  straw  when  a  heavy  sleep  took 
possession  of  all  my  faculties. 

When  I  awoke,  I  judged  by  the  height  of  the  sun  that  it  was 
two  o'clock.  A  female  peasant,  doubtlessly  the  same  whose  apparel 
I  had  seen,  warned  by  my  movements,  showed  her  head  at  the 
opening  of  the  door  of  my  garret. — '  Do  not  stir,'  said  she  in  a 
Provencal  dialect; '  the  environs  are  full  of  sapins  (gendarmes)  who 
are  examining  every  place.'  I  did  not  know  what  she  meant  by 
'  sapins,'  but  I  guessed  that  it  did  not  refer  to  anything  very  pro- 
pitious for  me. 

At  twilight  I  saw  my  new  friend  of  the  previous  evening,  who, 
after  some  trifling  conversation,  asked  me  point-blank  who  I  was, 
whence  I  came,  and  whither  I  was  going.  Prepared  for  these 
unavoidable  questions,  I  replied  that  I  was  a  deserter  from  the 
ship  Ocean,  then  in  the  roadstead  at  Toulon,  that  I  was  going  to 
Aix,  whence  I  hoped  to  get  to  my  own  country. 

1  That  is  all  very  good,'  said  my  host  *  I  see  who  you  are ;  but 
do  you  know  who  I  am  ?' 

'  I'faith,  to  tell  the  honest  truth,  I  first  took  you  for  a  patrol ; 
afterwards  I  took  you  for  a  leader  of  smugglers — and  now  I  do 
not  know  what  to  think.' 

'  You  shall  know,  then.  In  our  country  we  are  brave  enough, 
you  see,  but  object  to  be  made  soldiers  on  compulsion — so  we  did 
not  comply  with  the  requisition  when  we  could  do  anything  to 
avoid  it  The  quota  selected  in  Pourieres  even  refused  to  march 
at  all  when  called  upon.  The  gendarmes  cime  to  compel  the 
refractory,  and  they  resisted.  Men  were  killed  on  both  sides  :  and 
all  the  townsmen  who  participated  in  the  affray  betook  themselves 
to  the  woods  to  escape  a  court-martial.  We  thus  met,  sixty  in 
number,  under  the  orders  of  M.  Roman  and  the  brothers  Bisson 
de  Tretz  :  if  you  like  to  remain  with  us  I  shall  be  glad,  for  last 
night's  experience  tells  me  that  you  are  a  man  of  mould,  and  I 
advise  you  not  to  be  in  any  fear  about  gendarmes.  Besides,  we 
want  for  nothing,  and  run  but  little  risk.  The  country  people 
inform  us  of  all  that  passes,  and  give  us  provisions.  Come,  will 
you  join  us  ?' 

I  did  not  judge  it  wise  to  reject  the  proposition  :  and,  without 
reflecting  on  the  consequences,  I  answered  as  he  wished.  I  stayed 
two  days  at  the  hut,  and  on  the  third  set  out  with  my  companion, 
armed  with  a  carbine  and  two  pistols.  After  many  hours'  walking 
over  mountains  covered  with  wood,  we  reached  a  hut  larger  than 
that  we  h:ivi  quitted  :  it  was  the  head-quarters  of  Roman-  I  waited 


154  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

a  moment  at  the  door  for  my  guide  to  announce  me.  He  soon 
returned,  and  introduced  me  to  a  large  apartment,  where  I  saw 
about  forty  persons,  the  greater  number  of  whom  were  grouped 
about  a  man  who,  by  his  appearance,  half-rustic,  half-citizen,  might 
have  passed  for  a  rich  country  proprietor.  I  was  presented  to  this 
personage,  who  said  to  me,  *  I  am  delighted  to  see  you  :  I  have 
heard  of  your  coolness,  and  know  your  worth.  If  you  will  share 
our  perils,  you  shall  find  friendship  and  freedom  :  we  do  not  know 
you,  but  you  have  a  face  which  would  command  friends  every- 
where. To  sum  up  all,  our  men  are  honourable  and  brave — for 
probity  and  honour  are  our  mottoes.'  After  this  discourse,  which 
could  only  be  addressed  to  me  by  Roman,  the  brothers  Bisson,  and 
then  all  the  troop,  gave  me  the  embrace  of  brotherhood. 

Such  was  my  reception  in  this  society,  to  which  its-  leader 
attributed  a  political  intent ;  but  it  is  certain  that,  after  beginning, 
like  the  Chouans,  to  stop  the  diligences  which  conveyed  the  State 
moneys,  Roman  had  begun  to  plunder  travellers.  The  mutineers 
who  composed  his  band  had  at  first  much  reluctance  in  com- 
mitting these  robberies ;  but  habits  of  an  unsettled  life,  idleness, 
and  especially  the  difficulty  of  returning  to  their  homes,  soon 
removed  all  scruples. 

The  day  after  my  arrival,  Roman  appointed  me  to  conduct  six 
men  to  the  environs  of  Saint  Maximin.  I  did  not  know  the 
purport  of  the  mission.  About  midnight,  on  reaching  the  borders 
of  a  small  thicket  that  skirted  the  road,  we  ensconced  ourselves  in 
a  ravine.  Roman's  lieutenant,  Bisson  de  Tretz,  recommended 
absolute  silence.  The  wheels  of  a  carriage  were  soon  heard,  and 
it  passed  us.  Bisson  looked  out  cautiously,  and  said,  '  It  is  the 
Nice  diligence ;  that  will  not  do  for  us  :  it  has  more  soldiers  than 
ducats.'  He  then  ordered  us  to  retreat,  and  we  regained  the 
hut :  when  Roman,  enraged  at  seeing  us  return  empty-handed, 
swore  loudly,  exclaiming,  '  Well,  well !  they  shall  pay  for  this 
to-morrow.' 

It  was  no  longer  possible  for  me  to  deceive  myself  as  to  the 
association  to  which  I  belonged  :  I  had  decidedly  fallen  in  with 
that  famous  band  of  highwaymen  who  were  spreading  terror 
throughout  Provence.  If  I  fell  into  the  hands  of  justice — a  fugitive 
galley-slave — I  could  hardly  hope  for  that  pardon  which  might  be 
granted  even  to  the  troop  with  which  I  was  mingled.  Reflecting 
on  all  the  difficulties  of  my  situation,  I  was  tempted  to  escape  them 
by  flight ;  but,  so  recently  enrolled,  how  was  it  possible  to  evade 
the  strict  scrutiny  with  which  they  regarded  me  ?  On  the  other 
hand,  to  express  any  desire  of  withdrawing  myself  from  the  ron. 
cderacy  would  only  have  nrovoked  „,.  suspicion  iuiai  to  JA/  vuAi>ose 


DISCOVERY.  155 

or  safety.  Might  I  not  be  considered  as  a  spy,  and  be  shot  as 
such  ?  Death  and  infamy  threatened  me  whichever  way  I  turned. 
In  the  midst  of  these  perplexities  to  which  I  was  a  prey,  my  only 
idea  was  to  sound  the  man  who  had  first  effected  my  introduction 
amongst  my  comrades ;  and,  with  as  much  apparent  indifference 
as  I  could  assume,  I  inquired  if  it  would  not  be  possible  to  obtain 
from  our  captain  leave  of  absence  for  a  few  days  ?  The  man  looked 
at  me  with  an  air  of  cunning  and  suspicion  :  *  Yes,  friend,'  said  he, 
4  such  favours  are  sometimes  obtained,  when  our  chief  knows  well 
the  person  to  whom  he  grants  them.'  This  said,  he  turned  upon 
his  heel,  and  left  me  to  rack  my  brain  anew  for  some  happier  device 
to  effect  my  liberty  than  this  had  proved. 

I  had  now  been  upwards  of  eleven  days  with  these  bandits,  each 
day  more  fully  resolved  to  withdraw  myself  from  the  honour  of 
their  exploits,  when,  one  night  that  I  had  fallen  asleep  through 
excessive  fatigue,  I  was  suddenly  aroused  by  an  extraordinary 
noise ;  I  listened,  and  discovered  that  the  confusion  which  had 
broken  my  rest  was  occasioned  by  one  of  the  troop  having  been 
robbed  of  a  purse  heavy  with  many  years'  booty :  to  my  consterna- 
tion I  found  that,  as  being  the  last  comer  amongst  them,  their 
suspicions  were  directed  to  me.  They  surrounded  me  and 
formally  accused  me  of  having  stolen  the  purse  ;  the  cry  was 
unanimously  against  me,  and  drowned  my  protestations  of  inno- 
cence ;  they  insisted  upon  searching  my  person.  I  had  lain  down 
in  my  clothes,  which  a  hundred  hands  were  ready  to  strip  off  me. 
What  were  their  surprise,  anger,  and  astonishment,  at  perceiving 
on  my  shoulder  the  brand  of  a  ga'ley-slave  !  'A  galley-slave!' 
exclaimed  the  captain.  'A  galley  slave  amongst  us  !  He  can  only 
be  here  as  a  spy  ;  knock  him  on  the  head,  or  shoot  him,  that  will 
be  soonest  done.'  I  heard  the  click  of  the  muskets  preparing  to 
obey  this  last  order.  'One  moment,' exclaimed  the  chief;  'let 
him,  before  he  dies,  make  restitution  of  the  lost  money.'  'Yes,' 
said  I  to  him,  '  the  money  shall  be  restored,  but  on  condition  that 
you  grant  me  a  few  minutes'  private  conversation.'  He  consented 
to  listen  to  what  I  had  to  say,  under  the  idea  that  now  I  should 
make  a  full  confession  ;  but  the  moment  I  found  myself  alone  with 
him,  I  protested  anew  that  I  was  entirely  innocent  of  the  affair,  and 
suggested  an  expedient  for  discovering  the  culprit,  the  idea  of 
which  was  drawn  from  a  work  I  had  read  of  Berquin's.  My  plan 
was  acceded  to,  and  the  captain  returned  to  his  men,  holding  as 
many  straws  in  his  hand  as  there  were  individuals  present.  '  Ob- 
serve me  well,'  said  he  to  them  ;  'the  longest  of  these  straws  will 
fall  into  the  hands  of  him  who  is  guilty.' 

The  drawing  began,  each  man  in  silence  plucked  out  a  straw ; 


156  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ, 

but  when  it  had  concluded,  the  straws  were  returned  to  the 
captain,  and  his  troop  looked  with  curious  eagerness  for  the 
result. 

One  alone  was  found  shorter  than  the  others.  A  man  named 
Joseph  d  Osiolles  presented  it.  *  You  are  then  the  thief !'  ex- 
claimed the  captain.  '  Every  straw  was  of  the  same  length  ;  you 
have  shortened  yours,  and  thus  criminated  yourself.'  Joseph  was 
searched,  and  the  stolen  purse  found  hid  in  his  belt. 

My  justification  was  complete ;  the  whole  troop  acknowledged 
my  innocence ;  and  the  captain,  whilst  he  sought  to  excuse  the 
violence  to  which  I  had  been  subjected,  added  that  I  must  no 
longer  form  part  of  his  band.  '  It  is  a  sad  piece  of  ill  luck  for  you/ 

said  he  ;  '  but  you  must  feel  that,  having  been  at  the  galleys .' 

He  did  not  complete  the  sentence  but,  putting  fifteen  louis  in  my 
hands,  he  compelled  me  to  promise  silence  as  to  all  I  had  seen  or 
heard  for  the  next  twenty-five  days. 

I  was  prudent,  and  faithful  to  my  engagement. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

A  receiver  of  stolen  goods — First  treaty  with  the  police — Departure  for  Lyons. 

AFTER  the  dangers  I  had  undergone  whilst  remaining  with  Roman 
and  his  band,  some  idea  may  be  formed  of  the  joy  which  I  ex- 
perienced on  quitting  them.  It  was  evident  that  the  Gcvernment, 
once  determinately  seitled,  would  adopt  the  most  efficacious 
measures  for  insuring  the  safety  of  the  interior.  The  remains  of  the 
bands,  which,  under  the  name  of  *  Chevaliers  du  Soleil,  or  the  Com- 
pagnie  de  Jesus,' owed  their  formation  to  a  political  reaction,  deferred 
indefinitely,  could  not  fail  to  be  destroyed  as  soon  as  was  desired. 
The  only  honest  excuse  for  their  brigandage — royalism — no  longer 
existed  ;and  although  Hiver,  Lepretre,  Boulanger,  Bastide,  Jansein, 
and  other  '  sons  of  the  family,'  made  a  boast  of  attacking  the 
couriers,  because  they  found  their  profit  in  it,  it  began  to  be  no 
longer  in  good  taste  to  think  that  it  was  quite  correct  to  appro- 
priate to  one's  self  the  money  of  the  state.  All  the  incroyables  who 
had  thought  it  a  service  to  check,  pistol  in  hand,  the  circulation 
of  despatches  and  the  collection  of  the  imposts,  withdrew  now  to 
their  firesides ;  and  those  who  had  profited  by  their  exertions,  or 
wished  for  other  reasons  to  be  forgotten,  betook  themselves  to  a 
distance  from  the  scene  of  their  exploits.  In  fact,  order  was  re- 
established, and  the  time  was  at  hand  when  robbers,  whatever 
might  be  their  pretext  or  motive,  were  no  longer  to  be  tolerated. 
I  should  have  been  very  desirous,  under  such  circumstances,  to 


THE  ROAD  TO  LYONS.  157 

have  enrolled  myself  in  a  band  of  robbers,  only,  the  infamy  of 
such  a  procedure  apart,  I  should  have  been  kept  from  it  by  the 
certainty  of  being  speedily  brought  to  the  scaffold.  But  another 
thought  animated  me ;  I  wished  to  avoid,  at  any  cost,  the  oppor- 
tunities and  means  of  committing  crimes  :  I  wished  to  be  free.  I 
knew  not  how  this  wish  was  to  be  realized,  nor  did  it  matter ;  my 
determination  was  made,  and  I  had,  as  they  say,  marked  a  cross 
on  the  prison.  In  haste  to  get  at  a  considerable  distance,  I  took 
the  road  to  Lyons,  avoiding  the  high  road,  until  I  reached  the 
environs  of  Orange  ;  there  I  fell  in  with  some  Provencal  waggoners, 
whose  packages  soon  revealed  to  me  that  they  were  about  to  take 
the  same  road  as  myself.  I  entered  into  conversation  with  them  ; 
and  as  they  appeared  to  me  to  be  hearty  jovial  fellows,  I  did  not 
hesitate  to  tell  them  that  I  was  a  deserter,  and  that  they  would  serve 
me  materially  if,  to  aid  me  in  avoiding  the  vigilance  of  the  gen- 
darmes, they  would  agree  to  bestow  their  patronage  on  me.  This 
proposal  did  not  surprise  them,  and  it  even  seemed  as  if  they  had 
suspected  that  I  should  claim  their  protection  and  secresy.  At 
this  period  and  particularly  in  the  south,  it  was  not  rare  to  meet 
with  fine  fellows,  who  had  left  their  colours  and  committed  them- 
selves to  the  care  of  Heaven.  It  was  then  very  natural  to  take  my 
word,  and  the  waggoners  received  me  kindly ;  and  some  money 
which  I  displayed,  as  if  by  chance,  completed  the  interest  which  I 
had  already  excited.  It  was  agreed  that  I  should  pass  for  the  son 
of  the  person  who  had  these  conveyances  in  charge.  I  was  accord- 
ingly clothed  with  a  smock-frock,  and  was  supposed  to  be  making 
my  first  journey.  I  was  decorated  with  ribands  and  nosegays, 
emblems  which  at  each  public-house  procured  for  me  the  congratu- 
lation of  all  the  inmates. 

A  new  '  John  of  Paris,'  I  filled  my  part  very  well;  but  the  donations 
necessary  to  support  it  adequately  made  such  inroads  on  my  purse, 
that,  on  reaching  the  guillotiere,  where  I  was  to  leave  my  party,  I 
only  had  twenty-e  ght  sous  left.  Having  wandered  about  for  some 
time  in  the  dirty  and  dark  streets  of  the  second  city  in  France,  I 
remarked,  in  the  Rue  des  Quatre-Chapeaux,  a  sort  of  tavern  where 
I  thought  that  I  might  procure  a  supper  commensurate  with  my 
finances.  I  was  not  mistaken  :  the  supper  was  light  enough,  and 
soon  despatched.  To  remain  hungry  is  indeed  a  disagreeable 
thing ;  and  not  to  know  where  to  find  shelter  for  one's  head  is 
equally  annoying.  When  I  had  wiped  my  knife,  which,  however, 
had  not  been  much  engaged,  I  was  reflecting  that  I  must  pass 
the  night  under  the  canopy  of  heaven,  when  at  a  table  near  to 
mine,  I  heard  a  conversation  in  that  bastard  German  so  much 
spoken  in  some  districts  of  the  Netherlands,  and  with  which  I  was 


158  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

well  acquainted.  The  speakers  were  a  man  and  woman  about  to 
retire,  and  whom  I  found  to  be  Jews.  Informed  that  at  Lyons, 
as  in  many  other  towns,  these  people  kept  furnished  houses,  in 
which  they  received  smugglers,  I  asked  if  they  could  direct  me  to 
a  public-house.  I  could  not  have  addressed  myself  to  better 
persons  ;  for  they  were  lodging-keepers,  and  offered  to  become  my 
hosts,  which,  on  agreeing  to,  I  accompanied  them.  Six  beds  were 
in  the  room  in  which  I  was  placed,  none  of  which  were  occupied, 
although  it  was  ten  o'clock,  and  T  fell  asleep  under  the  idea  that  I 
should  have  no  companions  in  my  room. 

On  awaking,  I  heard  the  following  conversation  in  a  slang  lan- 
guage which  was  familiar  to  me. 

4  It  is  half-past  six,'  said  a  voice,  which  was  not  unknown  to  me, 
*  and  you  lie  snoring  still.1 

1  Well,  and  what  then  ?  We  wanted  to  break  open  the  old 
goldsmith's  shop  to-night,  but  he  was  on  his  guard,  and  we  ought 
to  have  given  him  a  few  inches  of  cold  steel,  and  then  the  blood 
would  have  flowed.' 

'  Ah,  ha  !  but  you  fear  the  guillotine  too  much.  But  that  is  not 
the  way  to  go  to  work  to  get  the  money.' 

'  I  would  rather  murder  on  the  highway  than  break  open  shops ; 
the  gendarmes  are  always  at  your  heels.' 

*  Well,  then,  you  have  got  no  booty ;  and  yet  there  were  snuff- 
boxes, watches,  and  gold  chains  enough.     The  Jew  will  have  no 
business  to-day.' 

'  No  ;  the  false  key  broke  in  the  lock,  the  citizen  cried  for  help, 
and  we  had  to  run  for  it ' 

*  Holla  !'  said  a  third  person ;  *  do  not  wag  your  tongues  so  fast ; 
there  is  a  man  in  bed,  who  may  be  listening.' 

The  advice  was  too  late,  but  it  silenced  them,  and  I  half-opened 
my  eyes  to  see  the  faces  of  my  companions ;  but  my  bed  being 
very  low,  I  could  not  perceive  them.  I  remained  quiet,  that  they 
might  suppose  me  asleep  ;  when  one  of  the  speakers  having  arisen, 
I  recognised  him  as  an  escaped  prisoner  from  Toulon,  named 
Neveu,  who  had  left  some  days  before  me.  His  comrade  jumped 
out  of  bed,  and  him  I  knew  to  be  Cadet-Paul,  another  fugitive  ;  a 
third  and  then  a  fourth  arose,  and  I  knew  them  all  then  to  be 
galley-slaves. 

I  almost  fancied  myself  in  my  room,  No.  3.  At  length  I  got  up 
from  my  bed.  and  scarcely  had  I  put  my  foot  on  the  floor,  when 
they  all  exclaimed,  '  'Tis  Vidocq  !'  They  surrounded  and  congra- 
tulated me.  One  of  the  robbers,  Charles  Deschamps,  who  had 
escaped  a  few  days  after  me,  told  me  that  the  whole  Bagne  were 
full  of  admiration  at  my  boldness  and  success.  Nine  o'clock  having 


AN  ENGAGEMENT  WITH  THE  POLICE.  159 

struck,  they  conducted  me  to  breakfast,  where  we  joined  the 
brothers  Quinet,  etc.  They  overwhelmed  me  with  kindnesses,  pro- 
cured me  money,  clothes,  and  even  a  mistress. 

I  was  here  situated  precisely  as  I  had  been  at  Nantes,  but  I 
was  not  more  desirous  of  following  the  profession  of  my  friends 
than  I  had  been  in  Bretagne ;  but  until  I  had  a  remittance  from 
my  mother  I  must  live  somehow.  I  thought  I  might  manage  to 
support  myself  for  a  time  without  labour.  I  proposed  most  deter- 
minately  only  to  receive  subsistence  from  the  robbers ;  but  man 
proposes  and  God  disposes.  The  fugitives,  discontented  that  I, 
under  various  pretexts,  always  avoided  joining  their  daily  plunder- 
ing parties,  at  once  denounced  me,  to  get  rid  of  a  troublesome 
witness,  who  might  become  dangerous.  They  imagined  that  I 
should  escape,  as  a  matter  of  course,  and  relied  that,  once  known 
by  the  police,  and  having  no  refuge  but  with  their  band,  I  should 
then  unite  myself  to  their  party.  In  this  circumstance,  as  in  all 
others  of  a  similar  kind,  in  which  I  have  been  found,  if  they  were 
so  desirous  of  my  companionship,  it  was  because  they  had  a  high 
opinion  of  my  penetration,  my  adroitness,  and  particularly  of 
my  strength — a  valuable  quality  in  a  profession  in  which  profit  is 
too  often  attained  by  peril. 

Arrested  at  A  dele  Buffin's,  in  the  passage  Saint  Come,  I  was 
taken  to  the  prison  of  Roan  ne,  where  I  learnt  from  my  examination 
that  I  had  been  sold.  In  the  rage  which  discovery  threw  me  into, 
I  took  a  sudden  step,  which  was  in  a  measure  my  introduction  to 
a  career  entirely  new  to  me.  I  wrote  to  M.  Dubois,  commissary- 
general  of  the  police,  requesting  a  private  interview,  and  the  same 
evening  I  was  conducted  to  his  private  closet.  Having  explained 
my  situation  to  him,  I  offered  to  put  him  in  the  way  of  seizing  the 
brothers  Quinet,  then  pursued  for  having  assassinated  the  wife  of 
a  mason.  I  proposed  besides  to  point  out  the  means  of  appre- 
hending all  the  persons  lodging  as  well  at  the  Jew's  as  at  Caffiri 
the  joiner's.  In  return,  I  only  asked  for  liberty  to  quit  Lyons. 
M.  Dubois  had  doubtless  been  before  the  dupe  of  such  proposals, 
and  I  saw  that  he  hesitated  to  trust  me.  *  You  doubt  my  word,' 
said  I  to  him  :  '  should  you  still  suspect  me  if  I  should  escape  on 
my  way  back  to  prison,  and  return  and  surrender  myself  as  your 
prisoner?' — '  No,'  he  replied.  '  Well,  then,  you  shall  soon  see  me 
again,  provided  that  you  consent  not  to  give  my  guards  any  ad- 
ditional orders  for  my  security.'  He  agreed,  and  I  went  away;  but 
on  arriving  at  the  corner  of  the  street,  I  knocked  down  the  two 
tipstaffs,  who  had  each  an  arm  of  mine,  and  regained  the  Hotel  de 
Ville  with  all  possible  speed,  where  I  found  M.  Dubois,  who 
was  greatly  surprised  at  my  prompt  reappearance ;  but,  certain 


i6o  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

from   that   that  he   might  rely  on  me,  I  was  allowed  to  go  a! 
liberty. 

The  next  day  I  saw  the  Jew,  whose  name  was  Vidal,  who  di- 
rected me  to  a  house,  where,  he  said,  my  friends  had  gone  to  live, 
and  thither  I  went.  They  knew  of  my  escape  ;  but  as  they  had  no 
idea  of  my  understanding  with  the  commissary-general  of  police, 
and  did  not  think  that  I  knew  who  had  directed  the  blow  which 
struck  me,  they  gave  me  a  very  cordial  reception.  During  the  con- 
versation, I  gathered  details  from  the  brothers  Quinet,  which  I 
transmitted  to  M.  Dubois  the  same  evening,  and  who,  convinced 
of  my  sincerity,  reported  my  conduct  to  M.  Ganier,  secretary- 
general  of  the  police.  I  gave  this  gentleman  all  necessary  infor- 
mation, and  must  say  that  he  acted  on  his  part  with  much  tact  and 
activity. 

Two  days  before  they  commenced  operations,  as  I  had  advised, 
on  Vidal's  house,  I  thought  it  expedient  that  I  should  be  again 
arrested.  I  was  again  conducted  to  the  prison  of  Roanne,  where 
the  next  day  Vidal,  Caffin,  and  many  others,  whom  they  had 
caught  in  the  same  snare,  were  brought  in.  I  was  at  first  kept 
from  communicating  with  them,  because  I  had  thought  it  best 
that  I  should  be  put  *  au  secret.'  When  I  was  released  from  it,  at 
the  end  of  several  days,  to  join  the  other  prisoners,  I  pretended 
much  surprise  at  finding  all  the  party  there ;  none  appeared  to 
have  the  least  idea  of  the  part  which  I  had  played.  Neveu  alone 
regarded  me  with  distrust ;  and  on  my  demanding  the  cause,  he 
said,  that  by  the  way  in  which  they  had  been  pursued  and  inter- 
rogated, he  could  not  help  suspecting  that  I  was  the  denouncer. 
1  feigned  much  indignation,  and  fearing  that  this  opinion  might  be 
disseminated,  I  assembled  the  prisoners,  and  informing  them  of 
Neveu's  suspicions,  I  demanded  if  they  thought  me  capable  of 
selling  my  comrades,  and  on  their  answering  in  the  negative, 
Neveu  was  compelled  to  apologize  to  me.  It  was  important  to  me 
that  these  suspicions  should  be  thus  destroyed  ;  for  I  knew  that 
certain  death  would  be  my  doom  if  they  had  been  confirmed.  There 
had  been  many  instances  at  Roanne  of  this  retributive  justice, 
which  the  prisoners  exercised  towards  one  another.  One  named 
Moissel,  suspected  of  having  given  information  relative  to  a 
robbery  of  church  plate,  had  been  knocked  on  the  head  in  the 
court,  without  the  assassin  being  detected.  More  recently,  another 
individual,  accused  of  a  similar  indiscretion,  had  been  found  one 
morning  hung  with  a  straw  band  at  the  bars  of  his  window,  and 
the  perpetrator  was  never  discovered. 

In  the  meantime  M.  Dubois  sent  for  me  to  his  closet,  where,  to 
avoid  suspicion,  the  other  prisjaors  were  conducted  with  me,  as  if 


POLICE  SERVICE.  161 

about  to  undergo  an  examination.  I  entered  first,  and  the  com- 
missary-general told  me  that  many  very  expert  robbers  had  arrived 
at  Lyons  from  Paris,  and  the  more  dangerous,  as,  being  supplied 
with  regular  credentials,  they  might  wait  in  safety  for  the  oppor- 
tunity of  making  some  decided  stroke,  and  then  immediately  go 
away.  The  names  by  which  they  were  mentioned  were  then 
entirely  new  to  me  ;  and  I  told  M.  Dubois  so,  adding  that  possibly 
they  might  be  false.  He  wished  to  release  me  immediately,  that 
by  seeing  these  individuals  in  some  public  place  I  might  assure 
myself  whether  I  had  ever  seen  them  before :  but  I  observed  to 
him,  that  so  abrupt  a  liberation  would  certainly  compromise  me 
with  the  prisoners,  in  case  that  the  good  of  the  service  should 
require  me  again  to  be  entered  as  prisoner  on  the  gaoler's  books. 
The  reflection  appeared  just ;  and  it  was  agreed  that  they  should 
devise  a  means  of  sending  me  away  the  next  day  without  incurring 
suspicion. 

Neveu,  who  was  amongst  the  prisoners,  was  also  examined  after 
me  in  the  commissary's  closet.  After  some  minutes  he  came  out 
in  a  rage,  and  I  asked  him  what  had  happened. 

1  What  do  you  think  ?'  said  he,  '  the  old  covey  wanted  me  to 
turn  nose  on  the  cracksmen  who  have  just  arrived.  If  they  find 
no  one  to  blow  them  but  me,  they  are  all  right' 

*  Why,  I  did  not  think  you  such  a  flat,'  said  I,  the  idea  flash- 
ing on  my  mind  that  I  might  turn  this  to  advantage ;  *  I  have 
promised  to  blow  the  gang,  and  insure  them  a  lodging  in  the 
stone  jug.' 

4  What !  you  turned  nose  ?    Besides,  you  are  not  fly  to  the  gang.' 

c  What  matters  that  ?  I  shall  get  out  of  quod,  and  show  them 
my  heels,  whilst  you  are  still  clinking  the  darbies.' 

Neveu  appeared  struck  with  the  idea,  and  expressed  much 
regret  for  having  refused  the  offers  of  the  commissary-general ; 
and  as  I  could  not  get  rid  of  him,  I  begged  him  to  return  to 
M.  Dubois  and  recall  his  refusal.  He  agreed  ;  and  as  I  had 
arranged,  we  were  one  evening  conducted  to  the  great  theatre ; 
then  to  the  Celestins,  where  Neveu  pointed  out  to  me  all  the  men. 
We  then  retired,  escorted  by  the  police  agents,  who  kept  close 
upon  us.  For  the  success  of  my  plan,  and  to  avoid  suspicion,  it 
was  expedient  to  make  the  attempt  to  escape,  which  would  at  least 
confirm  the  hope  which  I  had  given  to  my  companion,  and  I  told 
him  of  my  intention.  On  passing  Rue  Merciere,  we  entered 
abruptly  into  a  passage  and  closed  the  door ;  and  whilst  the 
officers  ran  to  the  other  end,  we  went  out  quietly  by  the  way  we 
had  entered.  When  they  returned,  ashamed  of  their  stupidity,  we 
were  already  at  a  considerable  distance, 

ii 


1 62  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

Two  days  afterwards,  Neveu,  who  was  no  longer  wanted,  and 
could  not  suspect  me,  was  again  arrested.  I,  knowing  then  the 
robbers  whom  we  wanted,  pointed  them  out  to  the  police-officers 
in  a  church,  where  they  had  one  Sunday  assembled,  in  the  hope 
of  making  a  good  booty  on  the  termination  of  the  prayers. 
Being  no  longer  useful  to  the  authorities,  I  then  quitted  Lyons 
to  go  to  Paris,  where,  thanks  to  M.  Dubois,  I  was  sure  of  arriving 
in  safety. 

I  set  out  on  the  Burgundy  road  by  the  diligence,  which  then 
only  travelled  by  day.  At  Lucy-le-Bois,  where  I  slept  with  the 
other  travellers,  I  was  forgotten ;  and  on  waking,  learnt  that  the 
vehicle  had  been  gone  two  hours.  I  trusted  to  overtake  it,  in 
consequence  of  the  ruggedness  of  the  road,  which  is  very  steep  in 
these  districts ;  but  on  reaching  Saint  Brice,  I  was  convinced  that 
it  was  too  much  in  advance  to  allow  of  my  overtaking  it,  and  I 
accordingly  slackened  my  pace.  A  person  who  was  travelling  in  the 
same  direction,  seeing  me  in  a  great  heat,  looked  attentively  at  me, 
and  asked  me  if  I  had  come  from  Lucy-le-Bois ;  and  on  my  replying 
in  the  affirmative,  our  conversation  rested  there.  This  man  stopped 
at  Saint  Brice,  whilst  I  pushed  on  to  Auxerre.  Spent  with  fatigue, 
I  entered  an  inn,  where,  after  having  dined,  I  desired  to  be  con- 
ducted to  a  bed. 

I  slept  for  several  hours,  when  I  was  awakened  by  a  great  noise 
at  my  door,  at  which  some  persons  were  knocking  violently.  I  got 
up,  half-dressed,  and  my  eyes,  heavy  from  sleep,  gazed,  as  I  opened 
the  door,  on  tricoloured  scarves,  yellow  trousers,  and  red  facings. 
It  was  the  commissary  of  police,  attended  by  the  quartermaster 
and  gendarmes,  a  sight  which  I  could  not  see  without  some  emo- 
tion. '  See  how  pale  he  turns,'  said  one  of  them  ;  { it  is  he.7  I 
raised  my  eyes,  and  recognised  the  man  who  had  spoken  to  me  at 
Saint  Brice ;  but  nothing  explained  to  me  as  yet  the  motive  of  this 
sudden  invasion. 

'  Let  us  proceed  methodically,'  said  the  commissary  ;  *  five  feet 
five  inches  (French  measure),  that  is  right ;  brown  hair — eyebrows, 
and  beard,  idem — common  forehead— grey  eyes — prominent  nose 
—  good- sized  mouth — round  chin — full  face — good  colour — toler- 
ably stout' 

'  It  is  he,'  said  the  quartermaster,  the  two  gendarmes,  and  the 
man  of  Saint  Brice. 

'  Yes,  it  is  indeed,'  said  the  commissary  in  his  turn.  '  Blue  sur- 
tout— -trousers  of  grey  casimere — white  waistcoat — black  cravat.' 

This  was  my  dress,  certainly. 

1  Well,  did  I  not  tell  you  so  ?'  said  the  officious  guide  of  the 
police,  exulting  at  my  capture  :  *  he  is  one  of  the  robbers  1' 


AGAIN  A  T  ARRAS.  163 

The  description  tallied  exactly  with  mine.  But  I  had  stolen 
nothing ;  and  yet  in  my  situation  I  could  experience  all  the  dis- 
quiets of  having  done  so.  Perhaps  it  was  a  mistake  ;  perhaps  also 
....  The  party  were  transported  with  joy.  '  Peace  !'  said  the 
commissary  ;  and,  turning  over  the  leaf,  he  continued,  'We  shall 
easily  recognise  his  Italian  accent.  He  has,  besides,  the  thumb  of 
the  right-hand  injured  by  a  shot.'  I  spoke,  and  showed  my  right- 
hand,  which  was  in  a  perfectly  sound  state.  All  the  party  stared ; 
and  particularly  the  man  of  Saint  Brice,  who  appeared  singularly 
disconcerted  :  as  for  me,  I  felt  relieved  of  an  enormous  weight. 
The  commissary,  whom  I  questioned  in  my  turn,  told  me,  that  on 
the  preceding  night  a  considerable  robbery  had  been  committed  at 
Saint  Brice.  One  of  the  suspected  individuals  wore  clothes  similar 
to  mine,  and  there  was  a  similarity  of  description.  It  was  to  this 
combination  of  circumstances,  to  this  strange  sport  of  fortune,  that 
I  was  indebted  for  the  disagreeable  visit  which  I  received.  They 
made  excuses,  which  I  accepted  with  a  good  grace,  very  happy  at 
getting  off  so  well ;  but  yet,  in  the  fear  of  some  new  catastrophe, 
I  put  myself  the  same  evening  into  a  packet-boat,  which  conveyed 
me  to  Paris,  whence  I  started  immediately  for  Arras. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Again  at  Arras — Disguises — Rouen — My  Arrest 

MANY  reasons,  which  may  be  divined,  did  not  allow  of  my  pro- 
ceeding at  once  to  my  paternal  abode  ;  and,  alighting  at  the  house 
of  one  of  my  aunts,  I  learnt  the  death  of  my  father,  which  sad 
intelligence  was  soon  confirmed  by  my  mother,  who  received  me 
with  a  tenderness  widely  contrasting  with  the  treatment  I  had  ex- 
perienced during  the  two  years  of  my  absence.  She  was  extremely 
anxious  to  keep  me  with  her ;  but  it  was  absolutely  necessary  that 
I  should  be  constantly  concealed,  and  I  did  not  leave  the  house 
for  three  months.  At  the  end  of  that  time  my  confinement  began 
to  weary  me,  and  I  went  out,  sometimes  under  one  disguise  and 
sometimes  under  another.  I  thought  I  had  not  been  recognised, 
when  suddenly  a  report  spread  through  the  town  that  I  was 
there,  and  the  police  began  to  search  for  me,  making  constant 
visits  to  my  mother,  without,  however,  discovering  the  place  of  my 
concealment. 

Secure  in  my  retreat,  out  of  which  I  thought  it  would  be  difficult 
to  surprise  me,  I  soon  took  fresh  excursions.  One  day,  on  Shrove 
Tuesday,  I  even  carried  my  daring  to  such  an  extent  as  to  appear 
at  a  ball,  in  the  midst  of  upwards  of  two  hundred  persons.  I  was 
dressed  as  a  marquis ;  and  a  female,  with  whom  I  had  been  on 

II 2 


164  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

intimate  terms,  having  recognised  me,  told  another,  who  thought 
that  she  had  a  cause  of  complaint  against  me ;  so  that  in  less  than 
a  quarter  of  an  hour  everybody  knew  under  what  disguise  Vidocq 
was  concealed.  The  report  reached  the  ears  of  two  police  sergeants, 
Delrue  and  Carpentier,  who  were  on  duty  at  the  ball ;  and  the 
former,  coming  up  to  me,  said  in  a  low  voice  that  he  wished  to 
speak  with  me  in  private  :  a  refusal  would  have  been  dangerous, 
and  I  followed  him  into  the  court,  where  Delrue  asked  my  name. 
I  did  not  hesitate  to  give  him  a  false  one  ;  and  proposed  politely 
that  he  should  untie  my  mask  if  he  doubted  me.  '  I  do  not  require 
that,'  said  he,  '  but  I  shall  not  object  to  look  at  you.'  '  Well  then, 
untie  my  mask,  which  has  got  entangled  with  my  hair.'  Full  of 
certainty,  Delrue  went  behind  me,  and  at  that  instant  I  upset  him 
with  a  forcible  motion  of  my  body  backwards,  and  with  a  blow  of 
my  fist  I  sent  his  satellite  rolling  beside  him  on  the  earth.  With- 
out waiting  until  they  arose,  I  fled  with  the  utmost  speed  in  the 
direction  of  the  ramparts,  relying  on  being  able  to  climb  over 
them,  and  get  into  the  country  :  but  scarcely  had  I  run  many  paces, 
when  I  found  myself  in  an  alley  which  had  been  blocked  up  at  one 
end  since  I  had  quitted  Arras. 

Whilst  I  was  thus  wandering  out  of  my  way,  a  noise  of  iron 
heels  announced  that  the  two  sergeants  were  at  hand ;  and  I  soon 
saw  them  approach  me,  sword  in  hand.  I  was  unarmed ;  and 
seizing  the  large  house-key,  as  if  it  had  been  a  pistol,  I  presented  it 
at  them,  and  compelled  them  to  make  way  for  me.  '  Pass  quietly, 
Francois,'  said  Carpentier,  with  a  tremulous  voice ;  *  do  not  play 
any  nonsense  with  us.'  I  did  not  want  to  be  told  a  second  time, 
and  in  a  few  minutes  reached  my  retreat. 

This  adventure  was  noised  about,  and  in  spite  of  the  efforts  which 
the  two  sergeants  made  to  conceal  it,  they  were  laughed  at  by 
everybody.  What  was  most  annoying  to  me  was,  that  the  autho- 
rities redoubled  their  vigilance,  so  that  it  was  almost  impossible 
for  me  to  go  out.  I  remained  thus  immured  for  two  months, 
which  to  me  seemed  as  many  centuries.  Being  no  longer  able  to 
endure  it,  I  resolved  on  quitting  Arras,  and  they  made  me  up  a 
pack  of  lace ;  and  one  fine  night,  provided  with  a  passport,  which 
Blondel,  one  of  my  friends,  had  lent  to  me,  I  set  out  The  de- 
scription did  not  answer ;  but  for  want  of  a  better,  I  was  com- 
pelled to  put  up  with  that ;  and,  in  fact,  no  objection  was  made 
to  me  on  my  route. 

I  reached   Paris.       Whilst  engaged  in  disposing  of  my  com- 
modities, I  made  indirectly  some  steps  towards  finding  out  if  it 
were  not  possible  to  obtain  some   reversal  of  my  sentence.      I 
.  learnt  that   I  must,  in  the  first   instance,  give  myself  up   as    a 


AGAIN  AT  ARRAS.  165 

prisoner,  but  I  could  never  resolve  on  again  mixing  with  the 
wretches  whom  I  knew  so  well.  It  was  not  the  confinement  that  I 
dreaded  ;  I  would  willingly  have  submitted  to  have  been  enclosed 
alone  between  four  walls ;  and  what  proves  this  is,  that  I  then 
requested  leave  from  the  Minister  to  finish  the  term  of  my  sen- 
tence in  the  madhouse  at  Arras ;  but  my  application  remained 
unanswered. 

My  lace  was  sold,  but  with  so  little  profit  that  I  could  not  think 
of  turning  to  this  trade  as  a  mode  of  life.  A  travelling  clerk,  who 
lived  in  the  Rue  Saint  Martin,  in  the  same  hotel  as  I  did,  an^  to 
whom  I  partly  stated  my  situation,  proposed  that  I  should  enter 
the  service  of  a  seller  of  finery,  who  visited  the  fairs.  I  procured  the 
situation,  but  only  kept  it  for  ten  months,  as  we  had  some  disagree- 
ments which  determined  me  again  to  return  to  Arras.  I  was  not 
long  in  returning  to  my  nightly  excursions.  In  the  house  of  a 
young  person  to  whom  I  paid  some  attentions,  I  frequently  met 
the  daughter  of  a  gendarme,  and  endeavoured  to  learn  from  her 
all  that  was  plotting  against  me.  The  girl  did  not  know  me ;  but 
as  in  Arras  I  was  the  constant  subject  of  conversation,  it  was  not 
extraordinary  to  hear  her  speak  of  me,  and  frequently  in  singular 
terms.  'Oh,'  said  she  to  me  one  day,  'we  shall  soon  catch  that 
vagabond ;  there  is  our  lieutenant  who  wants  him  too  much  not 
to  catch  him  soon ;  I  would  bet  that  he  would  give  a  day's  pay  to 
get  hold  of  him.' 

'  If  I  were  your  lieutenant,  and  wanted  to  take  Vidocq,'  replied 
I,  'I  would  contrive  that  he  should  not  escape  me.' 

'  You  !  Oh  yes,  you  and  everybody  !  He  is  always  completely 
armed.  You  know  they  said  that  he  fired  twice  at  Delrue  and 
Carpentier ;  and  this  is  not  all,  for  he  can  change  himself  into  a 
bundle  of  hay  whenever  he  likes/ 

'A  bundle  of  hay  !'  cried  I,  surprised  at  the  novel  endowment 
assigned  to  me — 'A  bundle  of  hay  !  How  ?' 

'  Yes,  sir ;  my  father  pursued  him  one  day,  and  at  the  moment 
he  laid  his  hand  upon  his  collar,  he  found  that  he  only  held  a 
handful  of  hay.  He  did  not  only  say  it,  but  all  the  brigade  saw 
the  bundle  of  hay,  which  was  burnt  in  the  barrack  yard.' 

I  could  not  make  out  this  history ;  but  learnt  afterwards  that 
the  police-officers,  not  being  able  to  lay  hold  of  me,  had  given 
circulation  to  this  tale  amongst  the  credulous  citizens  of  Arras. 
With  the  same  motive  they  obligingly  insinuated  that  I  was  the 
double  of  a  certain  loup-garou,  whose  wonderful  appearances 
froze  with  fear  the  superstitious  inhabitants  of  the  country.  For- 
tunately, these  terrors  were  not  shared  by  some  pretty  women, 
whom  I  had  interested  in  my  favour ;  and  if  the  demon  of 


166  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

jealousy  had  not  suddenly  seized  on  one  of  the  number,  the 
authorities  would  not  perhaps  have  given  themselves  so  much 
trouble  about  me.  In  her  anger  she  was  indiscreet ;  and  the  police, 
who  did  not  clearly  know  what  had  become  of  me,  again  learnt 
that  1  was  certainly  in  Arras. 

One  evening  as,  without  mistrust  and  only  armed  with  a  stick,  I 
was  returning  through  the  Rue  d' Amiens,  on  crossing  the  bridge  at 
the  end  of  the  Rue  des  Coquets,  I  was  attacked  by  seven  or  eight 
individuals.  They  were  constables  disguised ;  and  seeing  my 
garments,  were  already  assured  of  their  prize,  when,  freeing  myself 
by  a  powerful  jerk,  I  leapt  the  parapet,  and  threw  myself  into  the 
river.  It  was  in  December  ;  the  tide  was  high,  the  current  rapid, 
and  none  of  the  policemen  had  any  inclination  to  follow  me  :  they 
thought,  besides,  that  by  waiting  for  me  on  the  bank  I  should  not 
escape  them;  but  a  sewer  that  I  found  enabled  me  to  deceive  them, 
and  they  were  still  waiting  for  me  when  I  was  at  my  mother's  house. 

Every  day  I  experienced  fresh  dangers,  and  every  day  the  most 
pressing  necessity  suggested  new  expedients  for  my  preservation. 
However,  at  length,  according  to  my  custom,  I  grew  weary  of  a 
liberty  which  the  compulsion  of  concealment  rendered  illusory. 

Some  nuns  of  the  Rue had  for  some  time  harboured  me  ;  but 

I  resolved  on  quitting  their  hospitable  roof,  and  turned  over  in  my 
mind  the  means  of  appearing  in  public  without  inconvenience. 
Some  thousands  of  Austrian  prisoners  were  then  in  the  citadel, 
whence  they  went  out  to  work  with  the  citizens,  or  in  the  neighbour- 
ing villages,  and  the  idea  occurred  to  me,  that  the  presence  of  these 
strangers  might  be  useful  to  me.  As  I  spoke  German,  I  entered 
into  conversation  with  one  of  them,  and  inspired  him  with  suffi- 
cient confidence  to  confide  to  me  his  intention  of  escaping.  This 
project  was  favourable  to  my  views ;  the  prisoner  was  embarrassed 
with  his  Kaiserlik  uniform,  and  I  offered  to  exchange  it  for  mine ; 
and  for  some  money  which  I  gave  him  to  boot,  he  was  glad  to  let 
me  have  his  papers  also.  From  this  moment  I  was  an  Austrian, 
even  in  the  eyes  of  the  Austrians  themselves,  who,  belonging  to 
different  corps,  did  not  know  all  their  body. 

Under  this  new  disguise,  I  joined  a  young  widow,  who  had  a 

mercery  establishment  in  the  Rue  de :  she  found  that  I  had 

ability,  and  wished  that  I  would  instal  myself  at  her  house  ;  and 
we  soon  visited  the  fairs  and  markets  together.  It  was  evident 
that  I  could  not  aid  her,  unless  I  could  understand  the  buyers, 
and  I  formed  gibberish,  half  Teutonic,  half  French,  which  they 
understood  wonderfully  well,  and  which  became  so  familiar  to  me, 
that  I  insensibly  forgot  that  I  knew  any  other  language.  Besides, 
the  illusion  was  so  complete,  that  after  cohabiting  together  for  four 


A  NARROW  ESCAPE.  167 

months,  the  widow  did  not  suspect  any  more  than  the  rest  of  the 
world  that  the  soi-disant  Kaiserlik  was  one  of  the  friends  of  hei 
childhood.  However,  she  treated  me  so  well,  that  it  was  impos- 
sible to  deceive  her  any  longer :  and  one  day  I  told  her  who  I 
really  was,  and  never  was  woman  more  astonished.  But,  far  from 
its  injuring  me  in  her  estimation,  the  confidence  in  some  sort  only 
made  our  intimacy  the  closer;  so  much  are  women  generally 
smitten  by  anything  that  bears  the  appearance  of  mystery  or  ad- 
venture !  And  then,  are  they  not  always  delighted  with  the  ac- 
quaintance of  a  wicked  fellow  ?  Who,  better  than  myself,  can  know 
how  often  they  are  the  providence  of  fugitive  galley-slaves  and 
condemned  prisoners  ? 

Eleven  months  glided  away,  and  nothing  occurred  to  disturb  my 
repose.  The  frequency  of  my  being  in  the  streets,  my  constant 
meetings  with  the  police-officers,  who  had  not  evea  paid  attention 
to  me,  all  seemed  to  augur  the  duration  of  this  tranquillity,  wken, 
one  day  as  we  were  sitting  down  to  dinner  in  the  back  shop,  the 
faces  of  three  gendarmes  were  visible  through  a  glass  door.  I  was 
just  helping  the  soup  ;  the  spoon  fell  from  my  hands  :  but  recover- 
ing soon  from  the  stupor  into  which  this  unlooked-for  visit  had 
thrown  me,  I  darted  towards  the  door,  which  I  bolted,  and  then 
jumping  out  of  the  window,  I  got  into  a  loft,  whence  I  gained  the 
roof  of  the  next  house,  and  running  down  the  staircase  which  led 
into  the  street,  I  found,  on  reaching  the  door,  two  gendarmes. 
Fortunately  they  were  but  novices,  who  did  not  know  me  :  '  Go 
up/  said  I  to  them,  *  the  brigadier  has  got  him,  but  he  resists ;  go 
up,  and  lend  your  aid,  whilst  I  run  for  the  guard'  The  two  gen- 
darmes ascended  quickly,  and  I  made  off. 

It  was  plain  that  I  had  been  sold  to  the  police.  My  friend  was 
incapable  of  such  a  black  deed,  but  she  had,  without  doubt,  been 
guilty  of  some  indiscretion.  Now  that  the  cry  was  raised  against 
me,  ought  I  to  tarty  longer  at  Arras  ?  It  would  be  in  vain  to  say 
that  I  would  always  remain  in  my  place  of  concealment ;  I  could 
not  reconcile  myself  to  a  life  so  wretched,  and  I  determined  on 
quitting  the  city.  My  little  lady  mercer  insisted  on  accompanying 
me  ;  she  had  means  of  conveyance  ;  her  commodities  were  soon 
packed,  and  we  set  out  together,  and  the  police  were  informed  last  of 
the  disappearance  of  a  female,  whose  measures  they  ought  not  to 
have  been  in  ignorance  of.  According  to  some  old  notions,  they 
imagined  that  we  should  go  towards  Belgium,  as  if  Belgium  had 
still  been  the  country  of  refuge  ;  and  whilst  they  were  pursuing  us 
in  the  direction  of  the  old  frontier,  we  were  quietly  progressing 
towards  Normandy,  by  cross  roads,  which  my  companion  had  ob- 
tained a  knowledge  of  in  her  mercantile  journeys. 


168  MEMOIRS  OP  VIDOC& 

It  was  at  Rouen  that  we  had  made  up  our  minds  to  fix  our 
abode.  Arrived  in  this  city,  I  had  with  me  the  passport  of  Blondel, 
which  I  had  procured  at  Arras  :  the  description  which  it  gave  was 
so  different  from  mine,  that  it  was  indispensably  necessary  to  make 
myself  a  little  more  like  it. 

To  achieve  this  it  was  necessary  to  deceive  the  police,  now 
become  the  more  vigilant  and  inquisitive,  as  the  communications 
of  the  emigrants  in  England  were  made  through  the  Normandy 
coast.  Thus  did  I  contrive  it.  I  went  to  the  townhall,  where  I 
had  my  passport  vise  for  Havre.  A  visa  was  obtained  without 
difficulty  ;  it  was  sufficient  that  the  passport  was  not  entirely  con- 
tradictory, and  mine  was  not  so.  The  formality  gone  through,  I 
departed,  and  two  minutes  afterwards  I  entered  the  office,  and 
asked  if  any  person  had  found  a  pocket- book.  No  one  could  give 
me  any  tidings  of  it,  and  then  I  was  in  despair ;  pressing  bufiness 
called  me  to  Havre,  and  I  wanted  to  start  that  very  evening,  but 
what  was  to  be  done  without  a  passport  ? 

'  It  is  only  that  ?'  said  a  clerk.  '  With  the  register  of  the  visa 
you  can  get  a  duplicate  passport'  This  was  what  I  needed;  the 
name  Blondel  was  kept,  but  this  time,  at  least,  my  description  was 
correctly  given.  To  complete  the  effect  of  my  stratagem,  not  only 
did  I  set  out  for  Havre,  but  I  advertised  my  pocket-book  by  little 
bills  stuck  about,  although  it  had  only  passed  from  my  hands  to 
that  of  my  companion. 

By  means  of  this  little  bit  of  good  management  my  reinstatement 
was  complete  ;  and,  provided  with  fitting  credentials,  I  had  only 
to  lead  an  honest  life,  and  I  actually  began  to  think  of  it ;  and 
took,  in  Rue  Mortainville,  a  repository  for  mercery  and  bonnets, 
in  which  we  did  so  well,  that  my  mother,  whom  I  had  informed 
secretly  of  my  success,  determined  on  coming  to  join  us.  For  a 
year  I  was  really  happy  ;  my  business  increased,  my  connections 
extended,  my  credit  was  established,  and  more* than  one  banking- 
house  in  Rouen  may  perhaps  remember  when  the  signature  of 
Blondel  was  well  respected  in  the  place.  At  length,  after  so  many 
storms,  I  thought  I  had  reached  port ;  when  an  incident,  which  I 
had  never  contemplated,  involved  me  in  a  fresh  series  of  vicissitudes. 
The  lady  mercer  with  whom  I  lived,  this  woman  who  had  given 
me  the  strongest  proofs  of  devotion  and  love,  began  to  burn  with 
other  fires  than  those  which  I  had  kindled  in  her  heart.  I  was 
desirous  of  persuading  myself  that  she  was  not  unfaithful,  but  the 
fault  was  so  flagrant  that  the  offender  had  not  even  the  resource 
of  those  well-supported  denials  which  enable  the  convenient 
husband  to  persuade  himself  that  he  is  not  wronged.  At  another 
time,  I  would  not  have  submitted  to  such  an  affront  without 


AGAIN  A  PRISONER.  169 

putting  myself  into  a  transport  of  rage,  but  how  time  had  changed 
me  !  Witness  of  my  misfortune,  I  coldly  signified  my  determina- 
tion to  separate  ;  prayers,  supplications,  nothing  could  bend  me ; 
I  was  immutable.  I  might  have  pardoned  her,  it  is  true,  if  only 
out  of  gratitude  :  but  who  would  convince  me  that  she  who  had 
befriended  me  would  break  off  with  my  rival  ?  And  might  I  not 
have  cause  to  fear,  that  in  a  moment  of  tenderness  she  would  com- 
promise my  safety  by  some  disclosure  ?  We  then  divided  our 
stock  of  goods,  and  my  companion  quitting  me,  I  never  heard  of 
her  after. 

Disgusted  with  my  residence  at  Rouen,  through  this  adventure, 
I  took  to  my  old  trade  of  travelling  merchant ;  my  journeys  com- 
prised the  circuit  of  Nantes,  St  Germain,  and  Versailles,  where,  in 
a  short  time,  I  formed  an  excellent  connection  ;  my  profits  became 
sufficiently  considerable  to  allow  of  my  renting  at  Versailles  a  ware- 
house, with  a  small  apartment,  which  my  mother  inhabited  during 
my  journeys.  My  conduct  was  then  free  from  any  stigma  ;  I  was 
generally  esteemed  in  the  circle  which  I  had  formed ;  and  again  I 
hoped  that  I  had  overcome  the  fatality  which  so  often  cast  me  into 
the  path  of  dishonour,  whence  all  my  efforts  were  now  used  to 
free  myself,  when,  denounced  by  an  early  friend,  who  thus  re- 
venged himself  for  some  disagreement  we  had  once  had  together, 
I  was  arrested  on  my  return  from  the  fair  of  Nantes.  Although 
I  obstinately  asserted  that  I  was  not  Vidocq,  but  Blondel,  as  my 
passport  proved,  I  was  sent  to  St.  Denis,  whence  I  was  to  be  sent 
to  Douai.  By  the  extraordinary  care  taken  to  prevent  my  escape, 
I  perceived  that  I  was  recommended  ;  and  a  glance  which  I  threw 
over  the  book  of  the  gendarmerie  revealed  to  me  a  precaution  of 
a  very  particular  nature.  I  was  thus  designated — 

'SPECIAL  SURVEILLANCE. 

'  VIDOCQ  (Eugene  Fran9ois),  condemned  to  death  for  nonappearance. 
This  man  is  exceedingly  enterprising  and  dangerous.' 

Thus,  to  keep  the  vigilance  of  my  guards  on  the  alert,  I  was 
described  as  a  great  criminal.  I  set  out  to  St.  Denis  in  a  car, 
pinioned,  so  that  I  could  not  move,  and  to  Louvres  the  escort 
never  took  eyes  off  me.  These  arrangements  announced  the 
rigours  in  store  for  me,  and  I  roused  all  the  energy  that  had  already 
so  often  procured  me  my  liberty. 

We  had  been  put  into  the  clock-house  of  Louvres,  now  trans- 
formed into  a  prison,  where  they  brought  us  two  mattresses,  a 
counterpane,  and  sheets,  which,  cut  and  fastened  together,  would 
help  us  to  descend  into  the  churchyard.  A  bar  was  cut  with  the 
knives  of  three  deserters  confined  with  us,  and  at  two  o'clock  in 


170  MEMOIRS  OF  V1DOCQ. 

the  morning  I  made  the  first  attempt,  and  having  reached  the  ex- 
tremity of  the  rope,  I  perceived  that  it  was  nearly  fifteen  feet  from 
the  ground  ;  hesitation  availed  nought,  and  I  let  go,  but,  as  in  my 
fall  at  the  ramparts  of  Lille,  I  sprained  my  left  leg  so  severely  that 
I  could  scarcely  walk  ;  however,  I  attempted  to  climb  the  walls  of 
the  churchyard,  when  I  heard  the  key  turn  quietly  in  the  lock.  It 
\vas  the  gaoler  and  his  dog,  who  had  noses  alike  for  following  a 
scent :  the  gaoler,  at  first,  passed  beneath  the  cord  without  seeing 
it ;  and  the  mastiff  near  a  ditch  in  which  I  lay,  without  smelling 
me.  Having  gone  the  round,  they  retired,  and  I  thought  that  my 
companions  would  follow  my  example ;  but  no  one  appearing,  I 
climbed  the  wall  and  got  into  the  plain.  The  pain  of  my  foot 
became  more  and  more  acute,  but  I  bore  the  pain,  and  courage 
giving  me  strength,  I  made  considerable  progress.  I  had  nearly 
advanced  a  quarter  of  a  league,  when  I  suddenly  heard  the  sound 
of  the  tocsin.  It  was  in  the  middle  of  May.  At  the  earliest  dawn, 
I  saw  several  armed  peasants  go  out  of  their  dwellings  and  spread 
themselves  over  the  plains.  They  were  probably  ignorant  of  what 
was  the  cause  of  disturbance,  but  my  sore  leg  was  a  token  that 
might  make  me  suspected.  My  face  was  unknown  :  in  all  proba- 
bility, the  first  persons  who  met  me  would  secure  my  person.  Had 
I  been  in  full  possession  of  my  limbs,  I  could  have  distanced  all 
pursuit ;  I  must  yield  at  present ;  and  scarcely  had  I  proceeded 
two  hundred  paces  when  I  was  overtaken  by  the  gendarmes,  who 
were  scouring  the  country  in  all  directions,  and  who  seized  and 
conveyed  me  back  to  the  cursed  clock-house. 

The  unpropitious  result  of  this  attempt  did  not  discourage  me. 
At  Bapaume  we  were  placed  in  the  citadel,  an  old  police  station, 
guarded  by  a  detachment  of  conscripts  of  the  $oth  regiment  of  the 
line ;  one  sentinel  only  was  placed  over  us,  and  he  was  under  the 
window,  and  near  enough  for  me  to  enter  into  conversation  with 
him,  which  I  did.  The  soldier,  to  whom  I  addressed  myself,  ap- 
peared a  good  fellow  enough,  and  I  thought  I  could  easily  bribe 
him.  I  offered  him  fifty  francs  to  let  us  escape  whilst  he  was  on 
guard.  He  refused  at  first ;  but  by  the  tone  of  his  voice,  and  by 
a  certain  twinkling  of  his  eyes,  I  thought  I  saw  his  impatience  to 
get  such  a  sum  only  that  he  was  afraid  of  consequences.  To  en- 
courage him,  I  increased  the  dose,  and  showed  him  three  louis, 
when  he  said  he  would  aid  us ;  at  the  same  time  adding,  that  his 
round  would  be  from  midnight  till  two  o'clock.  Having  made  our 
arrangements,  I  commenced  operations ;  the  wall  was  pierced  so 
as  to  allow  us  a  free  egress,  and  we  only  waited  until  the  oppor- 
tunity should  arrive.  At  length  midnight  struck ;  the  soldier 
immediately  announced  to  me  that  he  was  there,  and  I  gave  him 


ANOTHER  ESCAPE.  171 

the  three  louis,  and  then  made  the  necessary  dispositions.  When 
all  was  ready,  I  called  out.  '  Is  it  time  ?'  I  said  to  the  sentinel. 
*  Yes,  make  haste,'  he  answered,  after  a  trifling  hesitation.  I 
thought  it  singular  that  he  did  not  answer  instantly,  and  imagining 
that  his  conduct  was  somewhat  dubious,  I  listened.  He  seemed 
to  be  marching ;  and,  by  the  moonlight,  I  also  perceived  the 
shadow  of  several  men  in  the  ditch,  and  had  no  longer  any  doubt 
but  that  we  were  betrayed.  However,  as  I  might  have  been  mistaken, 
to  make  quite  sure,  I  took  some  straw,  which  I  stuffed  into  some 
clothes,  and  put  it  at  the  aperture  which  we  had  made  ;  and  at  the 
same  instant,  a  sabre  blow  that  would  have  cleft  an  anvil  informed 
me  that  1  had  well  escaped,  and  confirmed  me  more  and  more  in 
the  opinion  that  we  must  not  always  trust  to  conscripts.  The 
prison  was  soon  filled  with  gendarmes,  who  drew  up  a  statement  of 
facts  ;  they  examined  us,  wishing  very  much  to  know  all,  and  I 
declared  that  I  had  given  the  conscript  three  louis,  which  he  flatly 
denied  ;  he  was  examined,  and  on  their  being  found  in  his  shoes, 
he  was  put  in  the  black-hole. 

As  for  us,  we  were  threatened  most  menacingly ;  but  as  they 
could  not  punish  us,  they  contented  themselves  with  doubling  the 
guard.  There  was  now  no  method  of  escape,  without  one  of  those 
opportunities  for  which  I  watched  incessantly,  and  which  presented 
itself  earlier  than  I  expected.  The  next  day  was  the  day  of  our 
departure,  and  we  had  descended  into  the  barrack-yard  'lich  was 
all  in  great  confusion  from  the  arrival  of  a  fresh  number  of  prisoners 
and  a  detachment  of  conscripts  from  Ardennes,  who  were  going  to 
the  camp  at  Boulogne.  The  adjutants  were  squabbling  with  the 
gendarmes  about  room  for  forming  three  divisions,  and  making 
the  muster-call.  While  each  were  counting  their  men,  I  glided 
cautiously  in  at  the  tail  of  a  baggage-waggon  just  leaving  the  court, 
and  thus  passed  through  the  city,  motionless,  and  in  as  small  a 
compass  as  possible,  to  elude  detection.  Once  beyond  the  ramparts, 
I  had  only  to  steal  away ;  and  I  seized  the  opportunity  whilst  the 
waggoner,  thirsty,  as  these  people  always  are,  had  gone  into  an  ale- 
house to  refresh  himself;  and  whilst  his  horses  awaited  him  on 
the  road,  I  lightened  his  conveyance  of  a  load  of  which  he  was 
not  aware.  I  slept  in  a  field  of  maize,  and  when  night  arrived, 
directed  my  steps  eastward. 

CHAPTER   XVI. 

Camp  of  Boulogne— Recruiters  of  the  ancien  regime — M.  Belle-Rose. 
I  TRAVELLED  through  Picardy  towards  Boulogne.     At  this  period, 
Napoleon  had  abandoned  his  intention  of  a  descent  on  England, 
and  was  about  to  make  war  against  Austria  with  his  vast  army,  but 


172  MEMOIRS  OF  VWOCQ. 

had  left  many  battalions  on  the  shores  of  the  British  Channel. 
There  were  in  the  two  camps,  that  on  the  left  and  that  on  the 
right,  depots  of  almost  every  corps,  and  soldiers  of  every  nation  in 
Europe. 

The  uniforms  were  various,  and  this  variety  might  be  useful  in 
concealing  me;  but  I  thought  that  it  would  be  bad  policy  to 
disguise  myself  by  only  borrowing  a  military  garb.  I  thought  for 
a  moment  of  becoming  actually  a  soldier,  but  then  to  enter  a 
regiment  it  would  have  been  necessary  to  have  certain  papers, 
which  I  had  not.  I  then  gave  up  the  intention,  and  yet  my  abode 
at  Boulogne  was  dangerous,  until  I  should  decide  on  something. 

One  day  that  I  was  more  embarrassed  and  more  unquiet  than 
usual,  I  met  on  the  walks  a  sergeant  of  marine  artillery,  whom  I 
had  met  at  Paris,  and  who  was,  as  well  as  myself,  a  native  of 
Arras ;  but  having  embarked  when  very  young  in  a  ship  of  war,  he 
had  passed  the  greater  portion  of  his  life  in  the  colonies,  and 
on  his  return  to  his  native  country  had  learnt  nothing  of  my  doings. 
He  only  looked  on  me  as  a  ban  vivant ;  and  a  public-house  row, 
in  which  I  energetically  espoused  his  cause,  had  given  him  a  high 
opinion  of  my  courage. 

4  What,  is  it  you  ?'  said  he,  '  Roger  Bontemps  ;  and  what  are  you 
doing  at  Boulogne  ?'  '  What  am  I  doing  ?  why,  seeking  employ- 
ment in  the  train  of  the  army.'  'Oh,  you  want  employment;  do 
you  know  that  it  is  devilish  difficult  to  get  a  berth  now  ?  But,  if 
you  will  listen  to  my  advice — though  this  is  not  the  place  for  such 
conversation  ;  let  us  go  to  Galand's.' 

We  then  went  to  a  sort  of  sutler's  booth,  which  was  modestly 
stationed  in  one  of  the  angles  of  the  street.  *  Ah  !  good  day, 
Parisian,'  said  the  sergeant  to  the  host. — *  Good  day,  Father  Dufailli. 
What  will  you  have  this  morning  ? — a  dram  ? — mixed  or  plain  ?' 
— '  Five-and-twenty  gods,  Papa  Garland,  do  .you  take  us  for  black- 
guards ?  It  is  the  best  pullet  and  super-excellent  wine  that  we 
want,  do  you  hear  ?'  Then  addressing  me — '  Is  it  not  true,  old 
boy,  that  the  friends  of  our  friends  are  our  friends  ?  That  you 
must  agree  to ;'  and,  taking  my  hand,  he  led  me  into  a  small  room, 
where  M.  Galand  admitted  his  favourite  customers. 

I  was  very  hungry,  and  saw  with  lively  satisfaction  the  pre- 
parations for  a  repast,  of  which  I  was  to  partake.  A  waiting-maid, 
from  twenty-five  to  thirty  years,  well  made,  and  with  a  face  and 
good  humour  which  such  girls  have,  who  can  constitute  the  felicity 
of  a  whole  regiment,  brought  in  the  dishes.  She  was  a  native  of 
Liege ;  lively,  agreeable,  chattering  her  patois,  and  uttering  every 
moment  such  low  witticisms  as  excited  greatly  the  mirth  of  the 
sergeant,  who  was  delighted  with  her.  'She  is  the  sister-in-law  of  our 


DUFAILLI.  173 

host/  said  he  to  me ;  c what  cat-heads  she  has  !  she  is  as  plump  as 
a  ball,  and  as  round  as  a  buoy — a  dainty  lass,  upon  my  faith.'  At 
the  same  time  Dufailli,  pulling  her  about,  began  to  play  all  kinds  of 
naval  tricks ;  sometimes  drawing  her  on  his  knees,  sometimes 
applying  to  her  shining  cheeks  one  of  those  hearty  smacks  which 
bespeak  more  love  than  discretion. 

I  confess  I  was  annoyed  at  this  coquetry,  which  delayed  our 
meal,  when  Mademoiselle  Jeannette  (so  was  the  nymph  called) 
having  abruptly  broken  from  the  arms  of  my  Amphitryon,  re- 
turned with  part  of  a  devilled  turkey  and  two  bottles,  which  she 
placed  before  us. 

1  Well  done,'  said  the  sergeant ;  '  here  is  wherewithal  to  moisten 
our  food,  and  increase  the  juices.  I  shall  play  my  part.  After 
that  we  shall  see ;  for  here,  my  boy,  it  is  all  as  I  wish.  I  have 
only  to  make  a  signal  Is  it  not  so,  Jeannette  ?  Yes,  my  com- 
rade,' continued  he,  '  I  am  master  here.' 

I  congratulated  him  on  so  much  good  fortune,  and  we  began 
to  eat  and  drink  with  might  and  main.  It  was  long  since  I  had 
been  at  such  a  festival,  and  I  played  my  part  manfully.  Abundance 
of  bottles  were  emptied ;  and  we  were  about,  I  believe,  to  uncork 
the  seventh,  when  the  sergeant  went  out,  and  soon  returned, 
bringing  with  him  two  new  guests,  a  forager  and  a  sergeant-major. 
'  Five-and-twenty  gods  !  I  like  good  fellowship,'  cried  Dufailli. 
1  By  Jove,  I  have  made  two  recruits.  I  know  how  to  go  recruiting  , 
ask  these  gentlemen.' 

'  Oh  yes,'  said  the  forager,  c  he  is  the  cock,  Father  Dufailli,  to 
invent  plots  to  seduce  conscripts ,  when  I  think  of  them  I  remem- 
ber my  own  adventure.'— 'Ah,  you  still  remember  that !' — 'Yes, 
yes,  my  old  lad,  I  remember  it,  and  the  major  also,  when  you  were 
deep  enough  to  enlist  him  as  secretary  to  the  regiment.' 

'  Well !  has  he  not  done  well  ?  A  thousand  thunders  !  is  it  not 
better  to  be  the  first  accountable  man  in  an  artillery  company  than 
sit  scratching  away  on  paper  in  a  study  ?  What  say  you,  forager  ?' 

'  I  agree  with  you  ;  but ' — '  But,  but,  you  will  tell  me  perhaps, 

you,  that  you  were  happier  when,  with  your  old  dog  of  a  master, 
you  were  obliged  to  lay  hold  of  the  watering-pot,  and  make 
yourself  dripping  wet  with  throwing  frogs'  spawn  over  your  tulips. 
We  were  going  to  embark  at  Brest  on  board  L Invincible,  and  you 
would  only  go  out  as  a  flower  gardener.  "  Well  then,"  said  I,  "go 
as  flower  gardener ;  the  captain  likes  flowers ;  every  man  to  his 
taste,  but  also  every  man  to  his  trade ; "  and  I  carried  on  mine. 
1  think  I  see  you  now  ;  you  were  rather  disappointed  when,  instead 
of  employing  yourself  in  cultivating  marine  plants,  as  you  expected, 
you  were  sent  to  man  the  shrouds  of  a  thirty-six  :  and  when  you 


174  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

were  ordered  to  fire  a  bomb-shell,  that  was  a  nosegay  for  you ! 
But  no  more  of  that ;  and  let  us  drink  a  measure  of  wine.  Come, 
lads,  here's  to  our  comrades.' 

I  filled  all  the  glasses,  and  the  sergeant  continued — '  You  see 
that  I  am  not  wanted  now,  therefore,  let  us  make  of  all  of  us  but 
a  pair  of  friends.  This  is  easily  done ;  I  have  caught  these  nicely 
in  my  snare,  but  that  is  nothing ;  we  recruiters  of  the  marines  are 
but  fools  to  the  recruiters  of  earlier  days :  you  are  still  but  green- 
horns. Ah,  you  never  knew  Belle-Rose :  he  was  the  lad  for 
taking  in  the  knowing  ones  !  Such  as  I  am,  I  was  not  a  thorough 
noodle,  and  yet  he  twisted  me  completely  round  his  finger.  I 
think  I  have  already  told  you  the  tale ;  but  at  all  events  I  will 
give  it  you  again  for  the  general  good. 

'  Under  the  ancient  regime,  do  you  see,  we  had  colonies,  the  Isle 
of  France,  Bourbon,  Martinique,  etc. ;  now  they  are  ours  no  longer  ; 
we  have  only  the  Isle  of  Oleron  left ;  it  is  little  more  than  nothing ; 
or,  as  somebody  said,  it  is  a  foot  of  earth  whilst  we  wait  for  the 
rest.  The  descent  would  have  restored  us  all  the  others ;  but  bah, 
the  descent — we  must  no  longer  think  of  that,  that  is  settled ;  the 
flotilla  will  rot  in  thd  port,  and  they  will  make  firewood  of  the 
hulls.  But  I  am  getting  out  of  my  latitude,  steering  seaward,  instead 
of  landward  ;  now  then  for  Belle-Rose  ! 

'  As  I  told  you,  he  was  a  spark  who  had  cut  his  wisdom  teeth, 
and  in  his  time  young  fellows  were  not  of  the  same  kidney  with 
those  of  the  present  day. 

'  I  had  left  Arras  at  fourteen,  and  been  at  Paris  for  six  months, 
apprentice  to  a  gunsmith,  when,  one  morning,  my  master  desired 
me  to  carry  to  the  colonel  of  the  carabineers,  who  lived  in  the 
Place  Royale,  a  pair  of  pistols  which  he  been  repairing.  I  soon 
performed  this  commission,  and  unfortunately  these  cursed  pistols 
should  return  eighteen  francs  to  the  shop,  and  the  colonel  counted 
out  the  money,  adding  a  trifle  for  myself.  So  far,  so  good ;  but, 
lo  and  behold !  in  crossing  a  street  I  heard  somebody  knock  at  a 
window ;  I  raised  my  eyes,  supposing  that  I  should  see  some 
acquaintance,  when  what  should  I  see  but  a  Madame  de  Pompa- 
dour who,  with  all  her  charms  displayed,  was  tapping  at  a  window, 
and  who,  by  an  inclination  of  her  head,  accompanied  with  a 
charming  smile,  invited  me  to  go  up  to  her.  She  might  have  been 
called  a  picture  moving  in  its  frame.  A  magnificent  neck,  a  skin 
white  as  snow,  a  wide  chest,  and,  above  all,  a  delightful  counte- 
nance, combined  to  inflame  me.  I  went  up  stairs  four  at  a  time, 
and  on  introducing  myself  to  my  princess,  I  found  her  a  divinity. 
"Approach,  my  little  one,"  said  she  to  me,  tapping  my  cheek  lightly; 
M  you  are  going  to  make  me  a  little  present,  are  you  not  ?" 


DUFAILLL  175 

'  I  put  my  trembling  hand  into  my  pocket,  and  taking  out  the 
piece  of  money  given  to  me  by  the  colonel — "  Well,  my  child," 
continued  she,  "  I  think  you  are  a  Picardy  lad,  and  I  am  your 
countrywoman.  Oh,  you  wish  to  treat  your  townswoman  to  a  glass 
of  wine." 

'The  request  was  urgpd  so  sweetly,  that  I  had  no  power  of 
denial  left,  and  the  eighteen  francs  of  the  colonel  were  trenched 
upon.  One  glass  produced  another,  that  generated  a  third,  which 
begot  a  fourth,  and  so  on,  until  I  was  drunk  with  wine  and  delight. 
Night  arrived,  and  I  know  not  how,  but  I  awoke  in  the  street  on  a 
heap  of  stones  at  the  gate  of  an  hotel. 

'  My  surprise  was  great  on  looking  about  me,  and  still  more 
when,  on  looking  in  my  purse,  the  birds  were  flown. 

*  How  could  I  return  to  my  master's  ?  Where  sleep  ?  I  de- 
termined to  walk  about  till  daybreak ;  I  had  only  to  kill  time,  or 
rather  torment  myself  about  the  consequences  of  a  first  fault.  I 
turned  mechanically  towards  the  Market  of  the  Innocents.  "Mind 
how  you  trust  your  countrywomen,"  said  I  to  myself;  "  I  am  nicely 
fleeced  !  If  I  had  only  some  money  left " 

1 1  confess  that  at  this  moment  some  droll  ideas  crossed  my 
brain.  I  had  often  seen  pasted  upon  the  walls  of  Paris,  "  Pocket- 
book  Lost,"  with  one  thousand,  two  thousand,  or  even  three 
thousand  francs  reward  for  the  person  who  would  bring  it  back.  I 
thought  I  might  find  one  of  these,  and  looking  carefully  about  me 
on  the  pavement,  and  walking  like  a  man  who  is  looking  for  some- 
thing, I  was  seriously  intent  on  the  probability  of  finding  so  good 
a  windfall,  when  I  was  aroused  from  my  reverie  by  a  blow  of  a 
fist,  which  encountered  my  back.  "  What,  my  boy,  you  out  so 
early  this  morning  ?" — "  Ah,  is  it  you,  Fanfan  ;  and  by  what  chance 
in  this  quarter  at  this  hour  ?" 

1  Fanfan  was  a  pastry-cook's  apprentice,  whom  I  knew,  and  in  a 
moment  he  told  me  that  he  had  left  the  oven  for  the  last  six  weeks  ; 
that  he  had  a  mistress  who  fitted  him  out ;  and  that  for  a  short 
time  he  was  from  home,  because  the  intimate  friend  of  his  mistress 
had  chosen  to  sleep  with  her.  "  As  for  the  rest,"  said  he,  "  I  wink 
at  it.  If  I  pass  a  night  at  the  Sourciere,  I  return  to  my  haunt  next 
morning,  and  recover  myself  during  the  day."  Fanfan,  the  pastry- 
cook, appeared  to  me  a  keen  fellow ;  and  thinking  that  he  might 
devise  some  plan  to  extricate  me  from  my  embarrassment,  I  told 
him  the  whole  of  it 

' "  Is  that  all  ?"  said  he.  "  Come  to  me  at  mid-day  at  the 
public-house  at  the  Barriere  des  Sergents,  and  I  may  give 
you  some  useful  counsel :  under  any  circumstances  we'll  dine 
together," 


1 76  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

c  I  was  punctual  at  the  rendezvous,  and  Fanfan  did  not  keep 
me  waiting ;  he  was  there  before  me,  and  on  my  entrance,  I  was 
led  into  a  small  room,  where  I  found  him  seated  before  a  tub  of 
oysters,  with  a  female  on  each  side  of  him,  one  of  whom,  on  per- 
ceiving me,  burst  out  into  a  loud  fit  of  laughter.  "  Ah,  what  is  that 
for  ?"  said  Fanfan.  "  Oh,  heaven,  it  is  my  townsman." — "  It  is 
my  townswoman,"  said  I,  confused.  "Yes,  my  little  one,  it  is  your 
townswoman."  I  was  going  to  complain  of  the  trick  she  had 
served  me  on  the  previous  evening,  but  embracing  Fanfan,  whom 
she  called  her/^/,  she  laughed  more  heartily  than  before,  and  I  saw 
that  the  best  thing  I  could  do  was  to  join  in  the  laugh  like  a  jolly 
fellow. 

'  "  Well,"  said  Fanfan,  pouring  out  a  glass  of  white  wine,  and 
helping  me  to  a  dozen  oysters,  "  you  see,  you  must  never  despair 
of  Providence.  We  have  some  pigs'  feet  on  the  gridiron  ;  do  you 
like  pigs'  feet  ?"  And  before  I  could  answer  his  question,  they 
were  put  on  the  table.  The  appetite  I  displayed  was  so  much  in 
the  affirmative,  that  Fanfan  had  no  farther  occasion  to  ask  my 
opinion  of  them.  The  chablis  soon  put  me  in  spirits,  and  I  forgot 
the  disagreeables  which  had  given  me  such  cause  of  dreading  my 
master  ;  and,  as  the  companion  of  my  townswoman  had  cast  a 
gracious  eye  on  me,  I  did  not  hesitate  to  make  desperate  love  to 
her.  By  the  honour  of  Dufailli !  she  was  soon  won,  and  gave  me 
her  hand. 

'  "  You  really  love  me  then  ?"  said  Fanchette — so  was  my  damsel 
named. — "Love  you?"  said  I;  "why,  if  you  like,  we  will  be 
married"  "That  is  right,"  said  Fanfan,  "marry;  and  to  com- 
mence, I  will  wed  you  at  once.  I  marry  you,  my  boy ;  do  you 
understand  ?  so  embrace ;"  and  at  the  same  time,  he  united  our 
hands  and  drew  our  faces  towards  each  other,  "  Poor  child,"  said 
Fanchette,  giving  me  a  second  kiss  without  the  aid  of  my  friend, 
"  be  easy  ;  I  will  instruct  you." 

'  I  was  in  paradise,  and  spent  a  delightful  day.  In  the  evening 
I  went  to  bed  with  Fanchette,  and  we  were  mutually  pleased  with 
each  other.  My  education  was  soon  perfected.  Fanchette  was 
delighted  at  having  met  with  a  pupil  who  profited  so  well  from  her 
instructions,  and  recompensed  me  generously. 

'  At  this  period  the  Notables  had  just  assembled,  and  they  were 
good  pigeons.  Fanchette  plucked  them,  and  we  shared  the  spoil. 
Each  day  we  banqueted  without  limit.  These  Notables  supplied 
our  throats  as  well  as  exerting  their  own !  And  I  had  always  a 
well-supplied  purse. 

'  P'anchette  and  I  denied  ourselves  nothing ;  but  how  brief  are 
the  moments  of  happiness  !  Oh,  how  brief  | 


DUFAJLLT.  177 

'  Scarcely  had  a  month  of  this  charming  life  elapsed,  when 
Fanchette  and  my  townswoman  were  apprehended  and  taken  to 
prison.  What  had  they  done  ?  I  do  not  know,  but  evil  tongues 
said  something  about  the  abstraction  of  a  repeating-watch.  I,  who 
had  no  particular  wish  to  make  acquaintance  with  the  lieutenant- 
general  of  police,  thought  it  best  to  make  as  few  inquiries  as 
possible. 

'  This  arrest  was  a  blow  which  we  had  not  looked  for.  Fanfan 
and  I  were  overwhelmed  at  it.  Fanchette  was  such  a  dear  girl  ! 
and  then  how  was  I  to  carry  on  the  war  ?  My  kettle  was  upset ; 
farewell  oysters,  farewell  chablis,  farewell  hours  of  love  !  I  should 
have  stuck  to  my  anvil ;  and  Fanfan  reproached  himself  for  having 
quitted  his  patty-pans. 

'  We  were  walking  sorrowfully  on  the  Quai  de  la  Ferraille,  when 
we  were  suddenly  aroused  by  a  sound  of  military  music,  two 
clarionets,  a  large  drum,  and  cymbals.  The  crowd  had  gathered 
round  this  band,  stationed  in  a  car,  above  which  floated  colours 
and  plumes.  I  think  they  were  playing  the  air,  "  Where  can  we 
find  joys  equal  to  those  at  home?"  When  the  musicians  had 
finished,  the  drums  beat  a  roll,  and  a  gentleman,  covered  with 
gold  lace,  got  up  and  spoke,  showing  a  large  representation  of  a 
soldier  in  full  uniform.  "  By  the  authority  of  his  majesty,"  said 
he,  "  I  am  here  to  explain  to  the  subjects  of  the  King  of  France 
the  advantages  which  he  offers  in  admitting  them  to  his  colonies. 
Young  men  who  are  round  me,  you  must  have  heard  of  the  land 
of  Cocagne,  and  it  is  to  India  that  we  must  go  to  find  this  fortunate 
country.  There  we  must  go  if  we  would  live  in  clover. 

'  "  Would  you  have  gold,  pearls,  or  diamonds  ?  The  roads  are 
paved  with  them  ;  you  have  only  to  stoop  and  pick  them  up,  and 
not  even  that,  for  the  savages  will  collect  them  for  you. 

4  "  Do  you  love  women  ?  There  they  are  for  all  tastes ;  negresses, 
who  belong  to  all  the  world ;  then  Creoles,  white  as  you  or  I,  and 
who  dote  to  madness  on  white  men,  which  is  natural  enough  in  a 
country  where  the  men  are  all  black  ;  and  note  particularly  that 
everyone  of  them  is  as  rich  as  Croesus ;  which,  between  ourselves, 
is  very  advantageous  in  marriage. 

'  "  Do  you  love  wine  ?  It  is  like  the  women,  of  all  sorts ;  malaga, 
bordeaux,  champagne,  etc.  For  instance,  you  must  not  often 
expect  to  meet  with  burgundy — I  will  not  deceive  you,  it  will  not 
bear  sea  carriage  :  but  ask  for  any  other  that  is  made  throughout 
the  world,  at  sixpence  a  bottle,  and  believe  me,  you  will  find  them 
but  too  happy  to  procure  it  for  you.  Yes,  gentlemen,  for  sixpence ; 
and  that  cannot  surprise  you,  when  you  learn  that  sometimes  one, 
two,  or  three  hundred  ships,  loaded  with  wines,  arrive  at  the  same 

12 


178  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

time  in  one  single  harbour.  Picture  to  yourself  the  embarrassment 
of  the  captains ;  in  haste  to  return,  they  quickly  unload,  and  an- 
nounce that  they  shall  esteem  it  a  favour  from  any  who  will  empty 
the  casks  gratis. 

'  "  That  is  not  all.  Do  not  you  think  it  would  be  a  sweet  life 
always  to  have  sugar  in  plenty  ;  I  have  not  mentioned  coffee, 
lemons,  pomegranates,  oranges,  pine-apples,  and  the  millions  of 
delicious  fruits  which  grow  here  as  wild  as  they  did  in  Paradise ; 
and  the  liqueurs,  which  are  much  esteemed. 

*  "  If  I  were  addressing  women  or  children,  I  might  expatiate  on 
all  these  delicacies,  but  I  am  speaking  to  men. 

'  "  Sons  of  family,  I  am  not  ignorant  of  the  efforts  usually  made 
by  parents  to  restrain  young  people  from  the  path  which  must 
lead  to  fortune  ;  but  be  more  rational  than  the  papas,  and  par- 
ticularly the  mammas. 

*  '*  Do  not  listen  to  them,  when  they  tell  you  that  the  savages 
eat  the  Europeans  with  only  a  little  salt :  that  was  all  very  well  in 
the  days  of  Christopher  Columbus  and  Robinson  Crusoe. 

4  "  Do  not  listen  to  them,  when  they  endeavour  to  terrify  you 
about  the  yellow  fever.  The  yellow  fever  ?  Gentleman,  if  it  were 
as  terrible  as  people  say,  there  would  be  nothing  but  hospitals  in 
the  country,  and  God  knows  that  there  is  not  a  single  one. 

'  "  Doubtless  they  will  frighten  you  about  the  climate.  I  am  too 
frank  not  to  confess  it ;  the  climate  is  warm,  but  nature  is  so  pro- 
digal in  giving  refreshments,  that,  in  truth,  we  must  attend  to  the 
thing,  or  we  should  not  perceive  it. 

'  "  They  will  alarm  you  about  the  sting  of  the  mosquitoes,  and 
the  bite  of  rattle-snakes.  But  have  you  not  slaves  always  about 
you  expressly  to  drive  away  the  former,  and  does  not  the  noise  of 
the  latier  sufficiently  inform  you  of  its  approach  ? 

*  "  They  will  talk  to  you  of  shipwrecks.     Know  that  I  have 
crossed  the  sea  fifty-seven  times  ;  that   I  have  again  and  again 
crossed  the  line ;  that  I  look  on  going  from  one  pole  to  the  other 
like  drinking  a  glass  of  water  ;  and  although  on  the  ocean  there  are 
neither  wooden  sledges  nor  nurses,  I  think  myself  more  secure  on 
board  a  seventy  four,  than  in  the  inside  of  the  coach  toAuxerre,  or 
on  the  conveyance  from  Paris  to  St.  Cloud.    That  must  be  enough 
to  dissipate  all  fears.    I  might  add  a  variety  of  delights ;  I  might  talk 
of  the  chase,  sporting,  fishing ;  imagine  to  yourself  forests,  where 
the  game  is  so  tame  that  it  never  thinks  of  running  away,  and  so 
timid  that  if  you  only  call  to  it,  it  falls  down  ;  imagine  rivers  and 
lakes,  where  fish  are  so  abundant  that  they  choke  the  waters.    This 
is  all  very  wonderful,  but  perfectly  true. 

' "  J  had  nearly  forgotten  to  talk  to  you  of  horses.     Horses 


M.  BELJ.E-ROSE.  179 

gentlemen  !  you  cannot  take  a  step  without  meeting  with  thousands 
of  them  ;  you  might  call  them  flocks  of  sheep,  only  that  they  are 
larger ;  are  you  fond  of  them  ?  do  you  like  riding  ?  Only  take  a 
rope  in  your  pocket,  which  should  be  rather  long,  and  you  must 
make  a  running  knot  in  it:  you  seize  the  moment  when  the  animals 
are  grazing,  and  afraid  of  nothing  ;  you  then  approach  quietly,  and 
make  your  choice ;  and  when  your  choice  is  made,  you  throw  the 
cord,  the  horse  is  yours,  you  have  only  to  back  him  and  lead  him 
where  you  please  and  think  proper ;  for,  remember,  that  here  every 
man  is  uncontrolled  in  his  actions. 

'  "  Yes,  gentlemen,  I  repeat  it,  it  is  all  true,  very  true  ;  the  proof 
is,  that  the  King  of  France,  his  majesty  Louis  XVL,  who  can  almost 
hear  me  in  his  palace,  authorizes  me  on  his  part  to  offer  you  these 
advantages.  Should  I  dare  to  lie  so  near  to  him  ? 

' "  The  king  desires  to  clothe  you,  the  king  wishes  to  support 
you,  he  wishes  to  make  you  rich  men  ;  in  return,  he  asks  but  little 
from  you  ;  no  labour,  and  good  pay;  good  nourishment ;  to  rise 
up  and  lie  down  at  pleasure  ;  exercise  once  a  month,  at  the  parade 
of  St.  Louis ;  this,  for  I  will  conceal  nothing,  cannot  be  dispensed 
with,  unless  you  get  leave,  which  is  never  refused  These  obliga- 
tions done,  your  time  is  your  own.  What  more  can  you  desire  ? 
A  good  engagement  ?  You  shall  have  it :  but  hasten,  I  advise  you ; 
to-morrow  will  perhaps  be  too  late  :  the  ships  are  about  to  start, 
and  only  wait  for  a  fair  wind  to  set  sail.  Hasten,  then,  near  to 
Paris  ;  hasten.  If,  perchance,  you  should  grow  tired  of  doing  well, 
you  shall  have  dismissal  when  you  please  ;  a  barque  is  always  in  port, 
ready  to  conduct  to  Europe  those  who  are  home-sick ;  it  is  ex- 
pressly used  for  that  purpose.  Let  those  who  desire  to  have 
farther  particulars  come  to  me ;  I  have  no  occasion  to  tell  my 
name  ;  I  am  very  well  known  ;  my  residence  is  only  a  few  paces 
distant,  at  the  first  lamp,  at  the  house  of  a  wine-merchant.  Ask 
for  M.  Belle-Rose." 

*  My  situation  made  me  attentive  to  this  harangue,  which  I  have 
remembered,  although  it  is  twenty  years  since  I  heard  it,  and  I  do 
not  think  that  I  forget  a  single  word. 

'  It  made  no  less  impression  on  Fanfan,  and  we  were  consulting 
together,  when  a  shabby-looking  fellow,  whom  we  had  not  at  all 
offended,  gave  Fanfan  a  blow,  which  knocked  his  hat  off.  "  I  will 
teach  you,"  said  he,  "you  puppy,  to  grin  at  me."  Fanfan  was  be- 
wildered by  the  blow,  and  I  defended  him,  when  the  blackguard 
raised  his  hand  against  me ;  we  were  soon  surrounded,  and  the 
quarrel  was  growing  warm,  and  the  people  flocked  round,  trying 
who  should  see  most  of  it.  Suddenly,  some  one  separated  the 
crowd  \  it  was  M.  Belle-Rose.  '*  What  is  all  this  ?''  said  he  ;  and 


/So  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

looking  at  Fanfan,  who  was  crying,  "  I  think  this  gentleman  has 
been  struck — that  cannot  be  put  up  with ;  but  the  gentleman  is 
brave,  and  that  will  settle  the  business."  Fanfan  was  desirous  of 
showing  that  he  had  done  nothing  wrong,  and  then  that  he  had 
not  been  struck.  "  It  is  all  the  same,  my  friend,"  replied  Belle- 
Rose  ;  "  it  cannot  be  settled  that  way."  "  Certainly,"  said  the  bully, 
"  it  cannot  be  decided  in  this  way.  The  gentleman  insulted  me, 
and  shall  give  me  satisfaction  ;  one  of  us  must  fall." 

'  "  Well,  well,  be  it  so ;  he  will  give  you  satisfaction,"  replied 
Belle-Rose  :  "  I  will  answer  for  these  gentlemen ;  what  is  your 
hour  ?"— "  Yours." — "  Five  in  the  morning,  behind  the  bishop's 
palace — I  will  bring  weapons." 

'  Upon  this  the  blackguard  retired ;  and  Belle-Rose,  striking 
Fanfan  on  the  stomach,  heard  some  pieces  chink  in  the  waistcoat 
pocket,  where  he  carried  his  money,  the  last  relics  of  our  former 
splendour.  "  Really,  my  lad,  I  take  an  interest  in  you,"  said  he ; 
"you  must  come  with  me;  our  friend  here  must  go  with  us:"  and  so 
saying,  he  gave  me  a  poke  similar  to  that  he  had  bestowed  on  Fanfan. 

'  M.  Belle- Rose  conducted  us  into  the  Rue  de  la  Juiverie,  to  a 
wine-merchant's,  where  he  made  us  enter.  "  I  will  not  enter  with 
you,"  said  he  to  us ;  "a  man  like  me  must  preserve  decorum :  I 
am  going  to  pull  off  my  uniform,  and  will  join  you  in  a  minute. 
Ask  for  a  red  seal  and  three  glasses."  He  left  us.  "  A  red  seal," 
said  he,  turning  round  :  "  mind  the  red  seal." 

*  We  executed  the  orders  of  M.  Belle-Rose,  who  was  not  long  in 
returning,  and  whom  we  received  cap  in-hand.  "  Ah  !  my  boys," 
said  he,  "put  on  your  hats;  no  ceremonies  between  us;  I  am 
going  to  sit  down  :  where  is  my  glass  ?  the  first  come,  the  first 
served."  (He  drank  it  down  at  a  gulp.)  "I  am  devilish  thirsty,  and 
the  dust  sticks  in  my  throat." 

'  M.  Belle-Rose  poured  out  a  second  whilst  he  spoke,  and  then, 
wiping  his  forehead  with  a  handkerchief,  he  leant  his  two  elbows 
on  the  table,  and  assumed  a  mysterious  air,  which  began  to  dis- 
quiet us. 

'  "  Ah,  my  young  friends !  it  is  to-morrow  that  we  are  to  have  the 
brush.  Do  you  know,"  said  he  to  Fanfan,  "that  you  have  a  devil 
to  meet? — one  of  the  best  fencers  in  France:  he  pinked  St.  George." 
"  He  pinked  St.  George,"  replied  Fanfan,  looking  most  piteously  at 
me.  "  Ah  !  indeed,  he  pinked  St.  George ;  but  that  is  not  all — he 
has  a  most  unlucky  hand."  "  And  so  have  I,"  said  Fanfan.  "What, 
you  too  ?" — "  By  Jove,  I  think  a  day  never  passed,  when  I  was  at  my 
master's,  that  I  did  not  break  something,  if  only  a  plate  or  two."  "Oh, 
you  misunderstand  me,"  said  Belle-Rose  ;  "  we  say  that  a  man  has 
an.  unlucky  hand,  when  he  always  kills  the  man  whom  he  fights." 


M.  BELLE-ROSE.  181 

*  The  explanation  was  but  too  clear.  Fanfan  trembled  in  every 
limb,  the  sweat  ran  down  his  forehead  in  large  drops,  white  and 
blue  clouds  pervaded  the  red  cheeks  of  the  pastry-cook's  apprentice, 
his  face  lengthened,  his  heart  beat,  and  he  would  have  suffocated, 
had  he  not  heaved  an  enormous  sigh. 

'  "  Bravo!''  cried  Belle- Rose,  taking  his  hand  in  his  own,  "I  like 
men  who  have  no  fear.  You  are  not  afraid."  Then,  striking  the 
table,  "  Waiter,  another  bottle  of  the  same ;  mind  you,  my  friend 
here  pays.  Get  up  a  little,  my  friend ;  move  yourself — stir  about 
— stretch  out  your  arm — circulate  your  blood — thrust  out :  that's 
it — splendid  !  admirable!  superb!"  And  during  this  time  Belle- 
Rose  emptied  his  glass.  "On  the  honour  of  Belle-Rose  I  could 
make  a  fencer  of  you.  Do  you  know,  you  have  an  excellent  idea 
of  it.  You  would  do  well  at  it ;  there  are  more  than  four  of  our 
masters  not  so  well  made  for  it  as  you.  What  a  pity  you  were 
never  taught ;  but  nothing  is  impossible;  you  have  frequented  the 
schools?" — "Oh,  I  swear  not,"  replied  Fanfan.  "Come,  confess 
that  you  fight  well." — "No,  not  at  all." — "No  modesty;  why 
conceal  your  talent  that  way?  I  can  easily  perceive  it." — "  I  protest 
to  you,"  said  I,  "that  he  never  handled  a  foil  in  his  life." — "Since 
you  attest  it,  sir,  I  must  believe ;  but,  ah  !  you  are  two  deep 
fellows  ;  you  must  not  teach  old  apes  how  to  grin  ;  tell  me  the 
truth,  and  do  not  fear  that  I  would  betray  you  :  am  not  I  your 
friend  ?  If  you  have  no  confidence  in  me,  I  may  as  well  go.  Fare- 
well, gentlemen,"  continued  Belle-Rose,  with  a  provoked  air,  going 
towards  the  door,  as  if  about  to  depart. 

'  "  Oh,  M.  Belle-Rose, do  not  forsake  us,"  cried  Fanfan.  "Rather 
ask  my  friend  if  I  have  deceived  you.  I  am  a  pastry-cook  by 
trade,  and  I  cannot  help  my  fate.  I  have  handled  the  rolling-pin, 
but " 

'  "  I  saw  you  had  handled  something,"  said  Belle-Rose.  "  I  like 
sincerity — such  sincerity  as  yours  ;  it  is  the  chief  of  military  virtues; 
with  that  we  may  go  to  any  extent.  I  am  sure  you  would  make 
an  admirable  soldier.  But  that  is  not  our  present  business. 
Waiter,  a  bottle  of  wine.  Since  you  tell  me  you  never  did  fight,  I 
will  believe  nothing  again."  (After  a  moment's  silence.)  "  Never 
mind,  my  delight  is  to  confer  happiness  on  young  people.  I  will 
teach  you  a  thrust — a  single  thrust. "  (Fanfan  stared.)  "You  must 
promise  me  not  to  show  it  to  anybody." — "I  swear  it,"  said 
Fanfan. — "  Well,  you  will  be  the  first  to  whom  I  ever  showed  it. 
I  must  love  you  !  It  is  a  thrust  unequalled ;  one  which  I  kept 
only  to  myself.  Never  mind,  I  will  initiate  you  at  daylight  to- 
ir.orrow." 

4  From  this  moment  Fanfan  appeared  less  alarmed,  and  over- 


!£2  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

powered  M.  Belle-Rose  with  thanks.  We  drank  a  few  more 
glasses,  during  a  multitude  of  protestations  on  one  side  and  grati- 
tude on  the  other ;  and  then,  as  it  was  growing  late,  M.  Belle- 
Rose  took  leave  of  us  like  a  man  who  knew  the  world.  Before  he 
left  us,  he  showed  us  a  place  where  we  could  sleep.  "  Say  that 
you  come  from  me,"  said  he,  "  at  Griffon's,  in  the  Rue  de  la  Mor- 
tellerie ;  sleep  in  peace,  and  you  shall  find  all  go  well."  Fanfan 
paid  the  bill,  and  then  Belle-Rose  said,  "  Good-night,  to-morrow  I 
shall  come  and  wake  you." 

'  We  went  to  Griffon's,  where  we  procured  beds.  Fanfan  could 
not  close  an  eye,  and  was  perhaps  impatient  to  learn  the  thrust 
which  M.  Belle-Rose  had  promised  to  teach  him ;  or  he  might 
be  frightened ;  perhaps  he  was. 

*  At  the  first  peep  of  day  the  key  turned  in  the  lock,  and  some 
one  entered.     It  was  Belle-Rose.     "Come,  boys;  what  still  asleep! 
Hear  the  muster-call,  my  lads,"  cried  he.     In  a  moment  we  jumped 
up.     When  we  were  ready,  he  went  out  a  moment  with  Fanfan, 
and  they  soon  afterwards  returned.     "  Let  us  go  out,"  said  Belle- 
Rose  :  "  mind,  no  nonsense ;  you  have  nothing  to  do  but  to  give 
the  twisting  thrust,  and  he  will  pink  himself." 

*  In  spite  of  his  lesson,  Fanfan  was  not  quite  tranquil ;  and  having 
reached  the  ground,  he  was  more  dead  than  alive.    The  adversary 
and  his  second  had  arrived  already.     "  Here  we  are,"  said  Belle- 
Rose,  taking  the  foils  which  he  had  given  to  me ;  and  breaking  off 
the  buttons,  he  measured   the  blades.     "  Neither  of  them  is   six 
inches  longer  than  the  other.  Come  take  this,"  said  he  to  M.  Fanfan, 
giving  him  one  of  the  foils. 

'  Fanfan  hesitated ;  and  on  the  second  offer,  seized  the  handle 
so  clumsily  that  he  let  it  fall.  "That  is  nothing,"  said  Belle-Rose, 
picking  it  up  and  putting  it  in  Fanfan's  hand  :  he  then  placed  him 
opposite  his  adversary.  "  Mind,  guard  !  We  shall  see  who  will 
tickle  his  man." 

'  "  One  moment,"  said  the  second  of  the  opponent ;  "  I  have  a 
question  to  ask  first,  sir,"  said  he,  addressing  Fanfan,  who  could 
scarcely  support  himself;  "are  you  either  master  or  provost?'— 
"  What  do  you  say  ?"  replied  Fanfan,  with  the  voice  of  a  man  half- 
dead.  "  According  to  the  laws  of  duelling,"  responded  the  second, 
"  my  duty  compels  me  to  summon  you  to  declare  on  your  honour, 
are  you  master  or  provost  ?"  Fanfan  was  silent,  and  looked  at 
Belle-Rose,  as  if  to  ask  him  what  he  should  say.  "  Speak,  sir," 
said  the  second  to  Fanfan.  "  I  am — I  am — I  am — only  an  ap- 
prentice," stammered  Fanfan.  "  Apprentice  means  amateur,"  added 
Belle-Rose.  "In  this  case,"  continued  the  second,  "the  gentle- 
man amateur  must  undress ;  for  our  business  is  with  his  skin." — 


M.  BELLE-ROSE.  183 

"  That  is  just,"  said  Belle-Rose,  "  I  did  think  of  that ;  he  will 
undress  himself;  quick,  quick,  M.  Fanfan,  off  with  coat  and 
shirt." 

*  Fanfan  cut  a  scurvy  figure ;  the  sleeves  of  his  doublet  were 
very  tight,  and  he  unbuttoned  at  one  end  and  buttoned  up  at  the 
other.     When  he  had  taken  off  his  waistcoat  he  could  not  undo 
the  strings  of  the  neck  of  his  shirt,  and  was  compelled  to  cut  them ; 
and  at  last,  except  his  breeches,  was  as  naked  as  a  worm.     Belle- 
Rose  again  gave  him  the  foil.    "  Now,  m^Jriend,"  said  he,  "  mind 
your  guard  !" — "  Defend  yourself,"   cried  the  adversary ;   swords 
were  crossed.      Fanfan's  blade  shook  and  trembled;   the  other 
weapon  was  motionless.     Fanfan  seemed  about  to  faint. 

'"Enough,"  suddenly  cried  Belle-Rose  and  the  second,  "you 
are  two  brave  fellows ;  enough,  you  must  not  cut  each  other's 
throats ;  be  friends,  embrace,  and  let  there  be  no  farther  dispute. 
Good  God !  all  that  is  good  need  not  be  killed  But  he  is  a 
gallant  young  lad.  Be  appeased.  M.  Fanfan." 

'  Fanfan  breathed  again,  and  plucked  up  when  his  courage  was 
mentioned  ;  his  opponent  made  some  difficulties  about  consenting 
to  an  arrangement,  but  at  length  was  softened  ;  and  they  embraced, 
whilst  it  was  agreed  that  the  reconciliation  should  be  completed 
by  breakfasting  at  a  drinking-house  near  Notre  Dame,  where  there 
was  good  wine  to  be  had. 

'  \Yhen  we  reached  the  place,  the  breakfast  was  spread  and 
ready. 

'Before  we  sat  down,  M.  Belle-Rose  took  Fanfan  and  myself 
aside.  "  Well,"  said  he,  "  you  know  now  what  a  duel  is  ;  it  is  not  an 
out-of-the-way  matter ;  I  am  content  with  you,  my  dear  Fanfan ; 
you  behaved  like  an  angel.  But  you  must  be  great  throughout : 
you  understand  me — you  must  not  allow  him  to  pay." 

'  At  these  words  Fanfan  turned  very  red ;  for  he  knew  the  depth 
of  our  purse.  "  Oh,  good  Lord,  let  the  mutton  boil,"  added  Belle- 
Rose,  who  saw  his  embarrassment.  "  If  you  are  out  of  cash  I  will 
take  care  of  all  that ;  here,  do  you  want  money  ?  Will  you  have 
thirty  francs  ? — or  sixty?  Amongst  friends,  that  is  nothing."  And 
so  saying,  he  drew  a  dozen  crowns  from  his  pocket.  "  With  you 
they  are  in  good  keeping,  and  will  bring  good  luck." 

'  Fanfan  hesitated.  "  Accept  them,  and  pay  me  when  you  can. 
On  these  terms  there  can  be  no  hesitation  in  borrowing."  I  jogged 
Fanfan's  elbow,  as  much  as  to  say,  "Take  it."  He  obeyed;  and 
we  pocketed  the  crowns,  touched  at  the  kindness  of  Belle-Rose. 

'  He  was  soon,  however,  fo  skin  us  of  them.  Experience  is  a 
great  teacher,  and  M.  Belle-Rose  was  a  deep  fellow  ! 

*  Breakfast  went  off  with  spirit ;  we  talked  much  of  the  avarice 


i84  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

of  parents — the  brutalities  of  apprentices'  masters — of  the  blessings 
of  independence — the  immense  wealth  amassed  in  the  Indies  :  the 
names  of  the  Cape,  Chandernagor,  were  adroitly  introduced  ; 
examples  were  quoted  of  the  vast  fortunes  made  by  the  young  men 
whom  Belle-Rose  had  recently  engaged.  "  It  is  not  to  boast,"  said 
he,  "  but  I  am  .not  an  unlucky  fellow :  it  was  I  who  enlisted  little 
Martin  ;  and  now  he  is  a  nabob,  rolling  in  gold  and  silver.  I  will 
bet  that  he  has  grown  proud  ;  and  perhaps  if  he  saw  me  would  not 
recognise  me.  Oh,  I  have  found  many  ingrates  in  my  time  !  But 
what  of  that  ?  It  is  the  fate  of  man  !" 

'  Our  sitting  was  a  long  one.  At  the  dessert,  M.  Belle-Rose 
again  brought  on  the  carpet  the  fine  fruits  of  the  Antilles  :  whilst 
he  drank  the  wine,  "  Cape  wine  for  ever,"  said  he  ;  "  how  delicious 
that  is  !" — with  the  cofifee  he  expatiated  on  the  Martinique  :  when 
they  brought  the  cognac,  "  Ah !  ah  !"  said  he,  making  a  grimace, 
"  this  is  not  equal  to  the  rum,  and  still  less  the  excellent  pine-apple 
of  Jamaica ;"  they  poured  out  some  parj "ait  amour :  "  This  is  drink- 
able," said  he,  "  but  still  it  is  not  even  small  beer  in  comparison 
with  the  liqueurs  of  the  celebrated  Madame  Anfous." 

'  Belle-Rose  was  seated  between  Fanfan  and  myself  and  during 
the  whole  repast  took  great  care  of  us.  He  kept  up  the  incessant 
song  of  "  Empty  your  glasses ;"  and  he  filled  them  incessantly. 
"  Who  made  you  such  half-wet  birds  ?"  said  he  at  intervals.  "  Come, 
another  glass ;  look  at  me,  and  do  as  1  do." 

*  These  phrases,  and  many  others,  had  due  effect.     Fanfan  and 
I  were  pretty  well  done  up ;  he  particularly.    "  M.  Belle-Rose,  is  it 
very  far  to  the  colonies,  Chandernagor,  Seringapatam  ? — are  they 
very  far  off?"  he  repeated,  from  time  to  time,  and  he  imagined 
himself  already  embarked,  so  completely  was  he  imbued  with  the 
flourishing  accounts.    "  Patience,"  said  Belle-Rose,  at  length,  "and 
we  shall  get  there ;  and  in  the  meantime  I  am  going  to  tell  you  a 

story.     One  day  when  I  was  on  guard  at  the  governor's "- 

"  One  day  when  he  was  governor,"  said  Fanfan.   "  Hold  your  peace," 
said  Belle-Rose,  putting  his  hand  upon  his  mouth,  "  it  was  only 
when  I  was  a  private,"  he  continued  ;  "  I  was  quietly  seated  in  front 
of  my  sentry-box,  reposing  on  a  sofa,  when  my  negro,  who  carried 
my  gun, — you  must  know  that  in  the  colonies  every  soldier  has 
his  male  and  female  slave,  as  we  might  here  have  domestics  of 
both  sexes  ;  only  that  you  may  do  with  them  what  you  please ;  and 
if  it  be  your  pleasure,  you  may  kill  them  as  you  would  a  fly ;  for 
you  have  power  of  life  and  death  over  them.     As  for  the  woman, 
you  do  what  you  please  with  her ;— I  was  on  guard,  as  I  just  toFd 
you,  and  my  negro  was  carrying  my  gun " 

*  M.  Belle-Rose  had  scarcely  got  so  far,  when  a  soldier  in  full 


'  M.  BELLE-ROSE.  185 

dress  entered  the  room,  and  gave  him  a  letter,  which  he  opened 
with  haste.  "  It  is  from  the  Minister  of  the  Marine,"  said  he  ;  "  M. 
de  Sartine  tells  me,  that  the  service  of  the  king  summons  me  to 
Surinam.  The  devil !"  added  he,  addressing  Fanfan  and  me,  "  how 
awkward  it  is  ;  I  did  not  think  of  quitting  so  soon  ;  but  as  they 
say,  he  who  reckons  without  his  host,  reckons  twice ;  never  mind." 

'  Belle-Rose  then,  taking  his  glass  in  his  right  hand,  knocked 
several  times  on  the  table,  and  whilst  the  other  guests  withdrew,  a 
waiting-maid  entered.  "  The  bill,  and  send  your  master  ;"  and  the 
master  came  with  the  bill  of  our  expenses.  "Astonishing  how  soon 
it  mounts  up,"  observed  Belle-Rose  :  "  one  hundred  and  ninety 
livres,  twelve  sous,  six  deniers !  Ah!  M.  Nivet,  do  you  want  :<> 
skin  us  alive  ?  Here  is  an  item  I  will  not  pass  by — four  lemon-, 
twenty-four  sous.  We  only  had  three — reduction  the  first.  Peste, 
Papa  Nivet,  I  am  not  surprised  at  your  making  a  fortune.  Seven 
half-glasses,  that  is  very  fine ;  but  how  do  you  make  it  out,  when 
there  were  only  six  of  us  ?  I  shall  find  other  mistakes,  I  am  con- 
vinced. Asparagus,  eighteen  livres ;  that  is  too  much. " — "  In  April," 
said  M.  Nivet,  "  and  so  early  !" — "  Well,  that  is  right,  young  peas, 
artichokes,  fish,  lettuces,  strawberries,  twenty-four  livres — that  i ; 
correct.  The  wine  is  fair  enough  :  now  I  will  add  it  up.  Put 
down  nought  and  carry  one — the  total  is  correct,  deducting  the 
twelve  sous  and  the  six  deniers  there  remain  one  hundred  and 
ninety  livres.  Well,  will  you  give  me  credit  for  the  amount,  Papa 
Nivet  ?" — "  Oh  !"  replied  the  landlord,  "  yesterday,  yes  ;  to-day,  no  ; 
credit  on  land  as  long  as  you  please,  but  once  at  sea,  how  am  I  to 
be  repaid  ?  at  Surinam  ?  Devil  take  the  sea-going  creditors  !  I  tell 
you  money  I  want,  and  you  shall  not  go  out  till  I  am  satisfied  : 
otherwise  I  shall  send  for  the  watch,  and  we  shall  then  see " 

*  M.  Nivet  went  out  in  an  apparent  rage. 

'  "  He  is  a  man  of  his  word,"  said  Belle-Rose  to  us.  "  But  an 
idea  strikes  me  ;  in  great  distresses,  great  remedies.  Doubtlessly 
you  have  no  greater  wish  than  myself  to  be  led  before  M.  Lenoir 
between  four  guards.  The  king  gives  TOO  francs  a  man  for  recruits  ; 
there  are  two  of  you,  that  makes  200  francs;  sign  your  enrolments; 
I  will  go  and  get  the  cash,  then  return  and  free  you.  What  say 
you  ?" 

'  Fanfan  and  I  looked  at  each  other  in  silence.  "  What !  do  you 
hesitate  ?  I  had  a  better  opinion  of  you.  I,  who  would  cut  my- 
self in  quarters — and  then  I  do  not  ask  you  to  do  an  unpleasant 
thing.  Heavens  !  that  I  was  of  your  age,  and  knew  what  I  know ! 
We  have  always  resources  whilst  we  are  young.  Come,"  he  added, 
presenting  the  paper  to  us,  "now  is  your  time  to  coin  money;  put 
your  name  at  the  bottom  of  this  paper." 


1 86  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

*  The  persuasions  of  Belle-Rose  were  so  pressing,  and  we  were 
so  fearful  of  the  watch,  that  we  signed.     "  That  is  right,"  said  he, 
"  now  I  will  go  and  pay  ;  if  you  are  vexed  there  is  always  time  :  you 
will  have  nothing  to  do  but  return  the  money ;  but  we  shall  not 
come  to  that.     Patience,  my  friends,  I  will  soon  return." 

'  Belle-Rose  soon  went  out  and  quickly  returned. 

*  "  The  embargo  is  removed,"  said  he,  "  and  now  we  are  free  to 
go  or  stay ;  but  you  have  not  yet  seen  Madame  Belle-Rose — I 
wish  to  introduce  you  to  her :  she  is  a  woman  with  wit  to  the  end 
of  her  nails." 

'  M.  Belle-Rose  conducted  us  to  his  house  ;  his  lodging  was  not 
over-brilliant — two  rooms  on  the  back  of  a  mean-looking  house  a 
little  distance  from  the  Arch-Marion.  Madame  Belle-Rose  was  in 
a  recess  at  the  end  of  the  second  room,  her  head  resting  on  a  heap 
of  pillows.  Near  her  bed  were  two  crutches  :  and  at  a  little  distance, 
a  night  table,  a  spitting-box,  a  shell  snuff-box,  a  silver  goblet,  and 
a  bottle  of  brandy  nearly  emptied.  Madame  Belle- Rose  was  about 
forty-five  or  fifty :  she  was  attired  in  a  stylish  morning-gown,  with 
top-knot,  and  head-dress  of  lace.  Her  face  was  distorted  as  we 
entered  by  a  violent  fit  of  coughing.  "  Wait  till  she  has  done," 
said  Belle-Rose  to  us ;  and  at  length,  her  cough  ceasing,  "  Can 
you  talk,  my  duck  ?" — "  Yes,  my  precious,"  she  answered.  "  Well, 
you  will  oblige  me  by  informing  my  friends  here  what  fortunes  are 
made  in  the  colonies."—"  Immense  !  M.  Belle-Rose,  immense  !" 
"  What  alliances  ?"— "  What  alliances  ?  Superb  !  M.  Belle-Rose, 
superb  !  the  meanest  heiress  has  millions  of  piastres."  "  What  life 
do  they  lead  ?"— "  The  life  of  a  prince,  M.  Belle-Rose." 

1 "  You  see,"  said  the  husband,  **  I  did  not  make  her  say  so." 
1  The  farce  was  thus  performed.  M.  Belle-Rose  offered  us  the 
refreshment  of  a  glass  of  rum  :  we  drank  to  his  wife,  and  she  drank 
to  our  good  voyage.  "  For  I  suppose,"  she  added,  "  that  these 
gentlemen  are  ours.  My  dear  fellow,"  said  she  to  Fanfan,  "  you 
have  the  face  they  like  in  those  parts ;  square  shoulders,  wide  chest, 
well-made  leg,  nose  a  la  Bourbon."  Then  turning,  to  me,  "  And 
you  too;  oh  !  you  are  well-limbed  fellows."  "  And  lads,  too,  who 
will  not  allow  themselves  to  be  trampled  on,"  added  Belle-Rose ; 
"  this  gentleman  has  been  at  it  already  this  morning." — "  What, 
already  !  I  congratulate  him.  Come  here,  my  dear  sir,  and  let 
me  kiss  you  ;  I  always  liked  young  fellows,  that  is  my  taste :  every- 
one has  their  inclination.  Do  not  be  jealous,  Belle-Rose." — 
u  Jealous  of  what  ?  My  friend  behaved  like  a  second  Bayard,  as 
I  shall  tell  the  regiment ;  the  colonel  shall  know  it,  and  advance- 
ment must  follow — corporal  at  least,  if  not  an  officer.  Ah,  when 
you  have  the  epaulette  on  your  shoulders  you  will  be  a  noted  brave 


M.  BELLE-ROSE.  187 

man  !"  Fanfan  jumped  for  joy.  As  for  me,  sure  that  I  was  no 
less  brave  than  he,  I  said  to  myself,  "  If  he  advances,  I  shall  not 
hang  back."  We  were  both  very  happy. 

'  "  I  ought  to  tell  you  one  thing,"  pursued  the  recruiter  ;  "  re- 
commended as  you  are,  you  must  excite  jealousy  ;  there  are 
envious  people  everywhere ;  but  remember  that  if  they  use  a  word 
of  abuse  I  shall  take  it  up ;  once  under  my  protection — enough. 
Write  to  me."  "  What !"  said  Fanfan,  "  do  not  you  go  with  us  ?" 
— "  No,"  replied  Belle-Rose,  "  to  my  great  regret :  the  Minister 
has  need  of  me.  I  shall  join  you  at  Brest.  To-morrow  at  eight 
o'clock  I  expect  you  here,  not  later  :  to-day  I  have  no  leisure 
to  remain  longer  with  you ;  duty  must  be  done.  Adieu  till  to- 
morrow." 

'  We  took  leave  of  Madame  Belle-Rose,  who  embraced  us. 
Next  day  we  were,  at  half  past  seven,  aroused  by  the  bugs  which 
lodged  with  us  at  Griffon's.  "Give  me  punctual  men!"  said 
Belle-Rose,  when  he  saw  us  ;  "I  am  one  myself."  Then,  assuming 
a  more  serious  air  :  "If  you  have  any  friends  and  acquaintances, 
you  have  the  rest  of  the  day  for  leave-taking.  Now,  this  is  your 
route  ;  your  allowance  is  three  sous  per  league,  with  lodging,  firing, 
and  candle.  You  may  start  as  soon  as  you  like,  that  is  no  affair  of 
mine  ;  but  do  not  forget,  that  if  you  are  found  in  the  streets  of 
Paris  to-morrow  evening,  the  police  will  conduct  you  to  your  place 
of  destination." 

'  This  threat  cut  us  up  root  and  branch  ;  but  as  we  had  baked, 
so  we  must  brew,  and  we  started.  From  Paris  to  Brest  is  a  famous 
long  walk,  but,  in  spite  of  blisters,  we  made  ten  leagues  a-day. 
WTe  arrived  at  last,  but  not  without  having  a  thousand  times  cursed 
Belle-Rose.  A  month  afterwards  we  embarked.  Ten  years  after- 
wards, day  for  day,  I  was  made  corporal,  and  Fanfan  also  promoted ; 
he  was  knocked  on  the  head  at  St.  Domingo,  during  Leclerc's  ex- 
pedition. He  was  a  devil  amongst  the  negro  women.  As  for  me, 
I  have  yet  a  steady  foot  and  good  eye ;  my  chest  is  well  lined,  and 
I  may  have  the  luck  to  bury  you  all.  I  have  passed  many  rough 
days  in  my  life ;  been  thrown  from  one  colony  to  another ;  I  have 
rolled  my  ball  as  I  went,  and  I  have  not  been  a  loser ;  never  mind, 
the  children  of  glee  will  never  die — and  then,  when  they  are  no 
more  here,  they  are  to  be  found  elsewhere/  continued  the  Sergeant 
Dufailli,  striking  the  pockets  of  his  uniform  ;  and  then,  lifting  up 
his  waistcoat,  exposed  a  leather  belt,  apparently  well  lined.  'I 
say,  there  is  yet  butter  in  the  churn,  and  yellow  enough,  too,  with- 
out counting  what  we  may  chance  to  borrow  from  the  English, 
The  India  Company  owe  me  a  balance  still,  which  some  three- 
masters  will  bring.'  *  In  the  meantime,  all  goes  well  with  you, 


1 88  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

Father  Dufailli,'  said  the  forager. — '  Very  well,'  said  the  sergeant- 
major.  *  Yes,  very  well,  indeed,'  thought  I ;  determining  to 
cultivate  an  acquaintance  which  chance  rendered  so  propitious 
for  me. 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

The  daughters  of  Mere  Thomas — The  Silver  Lion — Captain  Paulet — The 
pirates — The  bombardment  —  Lord  Lauderdale  —  I  embark  —  Sea-fight — 
Capture  of  a  brig-of-war — I  change  my  name — Death  of  Dufailli — A  frigate 
sunk. 

WHILST  giving  us  the  scene  of  the  recruiters,  Father  Dufailli  had 
drunk  at  every  sentence.  He  was  of  opinion  that  words  flowed 
best  when  moistened.  He  might,  to  be  sure,  have  used  water; 
but  he  had  a  great  horror  of  that,  he  said,  ever  since  he  fell  into 
the  sea,  which  was  in  1789.  Thus  it  happened,  that  partly 
through  drinking  and  partly  through  talking,  he  got  drunk  imper- 
ceptibly. At  last  he  reached  a  point,  at  which  he  found  it  impos- 
sible to  express  himself  but  with  the  utmost  difficulty ;  his  tongue 
became  what  we  call  thick.  And  then  the  forager  and  sergeant- 
major  retired. 

Dufailli  and  I  remained  alone  :  he  was  asleep  and  leant  on  the 
table,  and  began  to  snore  ;  whilst  I  coolly  gave  myself  up  to  a  train 
of  reflections.  Three  hours  elapsed,  and  he  had  not  finished  his 
sleep.  When  he  awoke,  he  was  quite  surprised  to  find  anyone 
near  him  ;  at  first,  he  looked  at  me  as  through  a  thick  fog,  which 
did  not  allow  him  to  distinguish  my  features,  but  insensibly  the 
vapour  disappeared,  and  he  recognised  me,  which  was  all  he  could 
do.  He  stumbled  as  he  arose  ;  and  ordering  a  basin  of  coffee, 
without  milk,  into  which  he  emptied  a  salt-cellar,  swallowed  the 
liquid  with  small  gulps  ;  and  having  got  rid  of  his  short  sword,  he 
took  my  arru,  dragging  me  towar.is  the  door.  My  aid  was  most 
needful  to  him  ;  it  was  the  vine  twining,  about  the  elm.  'You  are 
going  to  tow  me,'  said  he,  '  and  I  will  pilot  you.  Do  you  see  the 
telegraph  ?  What  does  it  say,  with  its  arms  in  the  air  ?' — *  It  makes 
signals  that  the  Dufailli  is  lying  to.'  '  The  Dufailli — thousand 
gods !  a  ship  of  three  hundred  tons  at  least.  Do  not  fear ;  all's 
right  with  Dufailli.'  At  the  same  time,  without  letting  go  my  arm, 
he  took  off  his  hat,  and  placing  it  on  the  end  of  his  finger,  spun 
it  round.  '  See  my  compass ;  attention — we  go  as  the  cockade 
points — whether  the  cape  of  the  Rue  des  Precheurs  !  forward, 
march !'  ordered  Dufailli ;  and  we  took  together  the  road  to  the 
lower  town,  after  he  had  put  on  his  hat  with  much  noise. 

Dufailli  had  promised  to  advise  me,  but  he  was  not  in  a  state  to 
do  it.  I  anxiously  desired  that  he  should  recover  his  reason,  but, 


DUFAILLI.  189 

unfortunately,  the  air  and  exercise  produced  a  precisely  opposite 
effect  On  going  down  the  main  street,  we  were  obliged  to  enter 
every  public-house,  with  which  the  residence  of  the  army  had  filled 
the  place ;  everywhere  made  a  stay,  shorter  or  longer.  I  en- 
deavoured to  make  them  as  brief  as  possible.  Each  shop,  Dufailli 
said,  was  a  port,  into  which  we  must  put,  and  each  port  increased 
the  cargo,  which  he  had  already  so  much  difficulty  to  carry.  *  I 
am  as  full  as  a  beggar,'  said  he  to  me,  in  broken  words;  'and  yet 
I  am  not  a  beggar,  for  beggars  never  get  drunk,  do  they,  my  boy  ?' 

Twenty  times  I  resolved  on  leaving  him ;  but  Dufailli,  when 
sober,  might  aid  me ;  I  remembered  his  full  girdle,  and  even  with- 
out that,  1  knew  well  that  he  had  other  resources  than  his  sergeant's 
pay.  Having  reached  the  church  in  the  Place  d'Alton,  he  took  it 
into  his  head  to  have  his  shoes  brushed,  which,  when  done,  he 
lost  his  balance  in  moving  from  the  stool ;  and,  thinking  he  would 
fall,  I  approached  to  support  him.  *  What,  countryman,  don't  fear 
because  I  make  a  reel  or  two;  I  have  a  sailor's  foot.'  In  the 
meantime  the  brush  had  given  brightness  to  his  shoes ;  and  when 
they  were  completely  blackened,  c  Come,  the  finishing  touch,'  said 
Dufailli;  'or  is  that  for  to-morrow?'  At  the  same  time  he  gave 
him  a  sou.  'You  will  not  make  a  rich  man  of  me,  sergeant' — 
'  What,  do  you  grumble? — mind  I  don't  kill  you.'  Dufailli  made 
a  gesture,  but  his  hat  fell  off,  and,  blown  by  the  wind,  rolled  along 
the  pavement ;  the  shoe-black  ran  after  it  and  brought  it  back. 
'  It  is  not  worth  twopence,'  cried  Dufailli ;  '  never  mind,  you  are  a 
good  fellow.'  Then,  thrusting  his  hands  into  his  pockets,  he  took 
out  a  handful  of  money:  'Here,  drink  to  my  health.' — 'Thanks, 
my  colonel,'  said  the  shoe-black,  who  proportioned  his  titles  to  the 
generosity  he  met  with. 

'I  must  now,'  said  Dufailli,  who  seemed  by  degrees  to  recover 
his  senses,  '  lead  you  into  good  quarters.'  I  had  made  up  my 
mind  to  accompany  him  wherever  he  went.  I  had  witnessed  his 
liberality,  and  I  was  not  ignorant  that  drunkards  are  the  most 
grateful  persons  possible  to  those  who  give  them  their  company. 
I  allowed  myself  then  to  be  piloted  as  he  wished,  and  we  reached 
the  Rue  des  Precheurs.  At  the  door  of  a  new  house  of  elegant 
appearance  was  a  sentry  and  several  soldiers.  *  This  is  it,'  said 
he.  '  What,  here  ?  Are  you  going  to  take  me  to  the  staff-major?' 
—'The  staff-major! — nonsense;  I  say  it  is  the  beautiful  and  fair 
Magdelaine's ;  or,  if  you  like  it  better,  "  madame  quarante  mille 
hommes"  (madam  forty  thousand  men)  as  they  call  her.' — 'Im- 
possible, Dufailli,  you  are  under  some  mistake.' — '  Oh,  I  see 
double,  do  I  ?  Is  not  that  the  sentinel  ?'  Dufailli  advanced  while 
speaking,  and  asked  for  admittance.  '  Go  back/  said  the  quarter- 


190  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

master  roughly ;  '  you  ought  to  know  well  enough  that  this  is  not 
your  day.'  Dufailli  persisted.  'Go  away,  I  tell  you,'  said  the 
subaltern,  'or  I  will  take  you  to  the  black  hole.'  This  threat 
made  me  tremble  all  over. 

Dufailli's  obstinacy  might  be  fatal  to  me,  and  yet  it  would  not 
have  been  prudent  to  tell  him  my  fears ;  at  all  events  not  where 
we  then  were ;  and  I  therefore  only  made  some  observations  to 
him,  which  were,  however,  entirely  lost  upon  him  in  his  present 

state.  '  Let  the  fellow  go  and  be ,  the  sun  shines  equally  for 

us  all :  liberty,  equality,  or  death,'  he  repeated,  whilst  struggling 
to  escape  the  hold  I  kept  on  him,  that  he  might  not  commit  him- 
self in  any  way.  *  Equality,  I  tell  you  ;'  and  in  an  attitude  better 
conceived  than  described,  he  looked  at  me  with  that  stupid  no- 
meaning  stare  which  a  man  has  when  he  has  'put  an  enemy  into 
his  mouth  to  steal  away  his  brains,'  and  reduce  him  to  the  level  of 
a  brute. 

I  was  in  despair,  when  at  the  cry,  '  Present  arms !'  followed  by 
this  warning,  '  Cannoneer,  mind  what  you  do ;  here  is  the  adjutant, 
here  is  Bevignac ;'  he  suddenly  seemed  quite  to  come  to  himself. 
A  shower-bath  falling  from  a  height  of  fifty  feet  upon  a  maniac's 
head,  has  not  so  sudden  an  effect  in  restoring  his  senses.  The 
name  of  Bevignac  made  a  singular  impression  on  the  soldiery,  who 
had  ranged  themselves  in  front  of  the  ground-floor  of  the  fair 
Magdelaine's  house.  They  looked  at  one  another  without,  as  it 
seemed,  daring  to  breathe,  so  much  were  they  alarmed.  The 
adjutant,  who  was  a  tall,  meagre-looking  man,  having  arrived, 
began  to  count  them,  whilst  he  made  motions  with  his  cane.  I 
never  saw  a  face  so  deeply  furrowed ;  on  his  thin  and  lank  jaws 
were  two  small  unpowdered  curls ;  on  the  whole  countenance 
might  be  traced  a  certain  something,  which  declared  that  adjutant 
Bevignac  was  a  perfect  martinet,  and  determinately  opposed  to 
anything  like  want  of  discipline.  Anger  was  visible  in  his  face, 
his  eyes  were  blood-shot,  and  a  horrible  convulsion  of  his  jaws 
announced  that  he  was  about  to  speak.  *  By  the  devil's  nest ! 
Well !  All  quiet !  You  know  orders.  None  but  officers !  By 
Satan's  nest!  and  every  man  in  his  turn.'  Then,  perceiving  us 
and  advancing  towards  us  with  uplifted  cane,  '  What  are  you  doing 
here,  you  sergeant  of  powder-monkeys  ?'  I  thought  he  was  about 
to  strike  us.  'Oh,  I  see,'  he  added,  'it  is  nothing;  only  drunk,' 
addressing  Dufailli.  '  Well,  a  jovial  cup  is  excusable  ;  go  to  be.l, 
and  do  not  let  me  meet  you  again.' — '  Yes,  commandant,'  replied 
Dufailli,  at  this  order,  and  we  went  away  down  the  Rue  des 
Precheurs. 

There    is  no  occasion  to  mention  the  profession  of  the  fair 


MOTHER  THOMAS.  191 

Magdelaine  le  Picarde ;  it  must  have  been  already  guessed.  She 
was  a  tall  woman  of  about  twenty-three  years  of  age,  remarkable 
for  the  bloom  of  her  complexion,  as  well  as  the  beauty  of  her 
figure.  It  was  her  boast  that  she  belonged  to  no  one  person.  She 
N  devoted  herself,  from  a  principle  of  conscience,  entirely  and  solely  to 
the  army :  fifer  or  field-marshal,  all  who  wore  the  uniform  were 
equally  well  received  by  her;  but  she  professed  great  contempt  for 
what  she  called  the  snobs.  There  never  was  a  citizen  who  could 
boast  of  her  favours :  she  was  somewhat  tenacious  with  marines, 
whom  she  called  '  tar-buckets/  and  fleeced  at  pleasure,  because 
she  could  not  make  up  her  mind  to  look  on  them  as  soldiers ;  and 
she  used  to  say,  that  the  navy  filled  her  purse,  and  the  army  was 
her  lover.  This  lady,  whom  I  had  occasion  to  visit  at  a  subse- 
quent period,  was,  for  a  long  time,  the  delight  of  the  camp,  without 
her  health  being  at  all  impaired,  and  was  supposed  to  be  rich.  But 
whether  Magdelaine  (as  I  know)  was  not  mercenary,  or  whether 
as  the  old  proverb  goes,  '  What  is  got  over  the  devil's  back  is 
spent  under  his  belly,'  Magdelaine  died  in  1812,  at  the  hospital  of 
Ardres,  poor,  but  true  to  her  flag :  but  two  years  more,  and,  like 
another  nymph  well  known  in  Paris,  after  the  disaster  of  Waterloo, 
she  would  have  had  the  grief  of  calling  herself  the  '  widow  of  the 
grand  army.' 

It  is  very  difficult  to  eradicate  an  idea  from  a  brain  troubled 
with  the  fumes  of  wine.  Dufailli  had  resolved  on  finishing  the  day  in 
female  society,  and  nothing  could  turn  him  from  it.  Scarcely  had 
we  taken  half-a-dozen  steps,  than,  looking  back,  *  He  has  disap- 
peared,' said  he ;  '  come  along,  this  way ; '  and  leaving  my  arm 
he  advanced  towards  a  door,  at  which  he  knocked ;  and  which, 
after  a  few  minutes,  was  half  opened,  and  an  old  woman's  head 
appeared.  '  What  do  you  want  ?' — '  What  do  we  want  ?'  answered 
Dufailli;  '  don't  you  know  me?  Do  not  you  recognise  friends?' 
*Ah!  ah!  is  it  you,  Father  Dufailli;  there  is  no  room  for  you.' 
*  No  room  for  friends  !  You  are  joking,  mother ;  you  are  playing 
off  some  trick  upon  us.' — *No,  on  the  word  of  an  honest 
woman ;  you  know,  my  old  lad,  that  no  one  is  more  welcome 
than  yourself;  but  my  eldest  daughter  is  engaged,  and  so  is 
Pauline  ;  but  we  shall  be  glad  to  see  you  by-and-by.' — *  Well, 
if  it  must  be  so,  Mother  Thomas,'  said  Dufailli,  putting  a  piece 
of  money  on  his  eye,  'it  cannot  be  helped,  but  you  must  get 
us  something  to  drink  meanwhile ;  you  have  some  little  spare 
corner  to  put  us  into.' — 'Ay,  ay,  always  a  wag,  always  a  wag. 
Father  Dufailli ;  it  is  quite  impossible  to  refuse  your  insinuating 
requests.  Come  !  quick,  quick,  let  no  one  see  you  coming  in ; 
hide  yoursel\es  there,  my  boys,  and  muni,' 


192  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

Madame  Thomas  had  placed  us  behind  an  old  screen  in  a  low 
room,  through  which  all  persons  going  out  must  pass.  We  did 
not  wait  long  alone.  Mademoiselle  Pauline  came  to  us  first,  and, 
having  whispered  to  her  mother,  came  and  sat  down  with  us  to  a 
flask  of  Rhenish. 

Pauline  was  not  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  yet  she  had  already 
acquired  the  dissipated  air,  the  bold  look,  the  loose  discourse,  the 
hoarse  voice,  and  the  disgusting  manners  of  the  common  courtezan. 
This  early  prey  to  dissipation  was  destined  for  my  amusement, 
and  was  lavish  in  her  endearments.  Therese  was  better  suited  to 
the  bald  head  of  my  companion,  who  waited  until  she  should  be  at 
leisure ;  and,  at  length,  the  quick  step  of  a  hussar  boot,  garnished 
with  spurs,  announced  that  the  cavalier  was  taking  leave  of  his 
lady  fair.  Dufailli,  who  was  somewhat  impatient,  rose  abruptly 
from  his  seat,  but  his  short  sword  getting  between  his  legs,  he  fell, 
knocking  down  the  screen,  table,  bottles,  and  glasses.  'Excuse 
me,  captain,'  he  stammered  out,  whilst  endeavouring  to  rise ;  *  it 
was  the  fault  of  the  wall' — *  Oh,  it  is  of  no  consequence,'  said 
the  officer ;  who,  although  rather  confused,  very  readily  aided  in 
lifting  him  up,  while  Pauline,  The'rese,  and  their  mother  were 
seized  with  a  fit  of  irrepressible  laughter.  When  Dufailli  had 
recovered  his  feet,  the  captain  departed ;  and  as  the  fall  had  pro- 
duced no  bruise  nor  wound,  nothing  checked  our  mirth.  I  shall 
throw  a  veil  over  the  remaining  scenes  of  this  evening.  We  were 
in  a  place  where  Dufailli  was  well  known,  and  my  readers  may 
guess  the  rest ;  suffice  it  to  say,  that  about  one  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  I  was  buried  in  profound  sleep,  when  I  was  suddenly 
awakened  by  a  most  tremendous  uproar.  Without  suspecting  the 
cause,  I  dressed  myself  in  haste,  and  some  cries  of  *  Guard  !  guard  ! 
Murder!  murder!'  from  the  shrill  lungs  of  Mother  Thomas, 
warned  me  that  the  danger  was  not  far  off.  I  was  unarmed,  and 
ran  immediately  to  Dufailli's  room,  to  ask  for  his  tinder-box,  of 
which  I  knew  I  could  make  a  better  use  than  he  would.  It  was 
time,  for  our  castle  was  invaded  by  five  or  six  marines,  who,  with 
sword  in  hand,  were  endeavouring  to  get  our  berths.  These  gen- 
tlemen were  threatening,  neither  more  nor  less,  than  to  force  us  to 
jump  out  of  the  windows  ;  and,  as  they  swore,  besides,  to  put  every- 
thing to  fire  and  sword  in  the  house,  Mother  Thomas,  with  her 
squeaking  pipe,  was  pealing  the  tocsin  of  alarm  with  a  noise  that 
aroused  the  whole  neighbourhood.  Although  a  man  not  easily 
frightened,  I  confess  I  felt  a  sensation  of  fear  which  I  could  not 
repress.  The  event,  whatever  it  might  be,  would  probably  end 
seriously  for  me. 

I  was,  however,  determined  to  take  a  resolute  part     Pauline 


A  NOCTURNAL  BRA  WL.  193 

earnestly  besought  me  to  shut  myself  up  with  her.  '  Fasten  the 
bolt,'  said  she.  '  I  beseech  you  to  fasten  the  bolt.'  But  the  garret 
in  which  we  were  was  not  impregnable.  I  might  be  blockaded ; 
and  preferred  defending  the  approach  to  the  place,  rather  than  run 
the  risk  of  being  taken  like  a  rat  in  a  trap.  In  spite  of  Pauline's 
efforts  to  detain  me,  I  attempted  a  sortie,  and  was  soon  engaged 
with  the  assailants.  I  darted  amongst  them  from  the  end  of  a 
narrow  gallery,  and  with  so  much  impetuosity,  that  before  they 
could  recover  themselves,  upset,  and  thrust  headlong  from  a  ladder, 
by  which  they  were  attempting  to  gain  an  entrance,  they  were  laid 
sprawling  on  the  ground,  bruised  and  wounded  severely.  Then 
Pauline,  her  sister,  and  Dufailli,  to  render  the  victory  more  decisive, 
flung  upon  them  all  that  came  to  hand — chairs,  tables,  stools,  and 
various  et  caeteras,  to  detail  which  would  be  tedious.  At  every 
missile  that  struck  them,  the  enemy,  prostrate  on  the  pavement, 
cried  out  with  pain  and  rage.  In  a  moment  the  passage  was  filled. 
This  nocturnal  brawl  could  not  fail  to  arouse  all  in  the  vicinity ; 
and  the  night-guard,  police  agents,  and  patrol  entered  the  domicile 
of  Madame  Thomas — there  must  have  been  at  least  fifty  men,  all 
armed,  and  making  a  tremendous  hubbub.  Madame  Thomas  en- 
deavoured to  testify  that  her  house  was  quite  tranquil,  but  they 
would  not  hear  her  :  and  these  words,  some  of  which  were  pretty 
significant,  reached  our  ears  from  the  ground-floor — 'Take  this 
woman  off.'  'Come,  old ,  follow  us;  or  shall  we  get  a  wheel- 
barrow to  bundle  you  in,  old  duchess?  Come,  no  nonsense.' 
*  Sweep  off  the  whole  party  ;  take  everyone ;  seize  their  arms.  I 
will  teach  you,  you  blackguards,  to  make  a  row.'  From  these 
words,  pronounced  in  a  provincial  accent,  and  mixed  with  occa- 
sional interjections,  which,  like  the  garlic  and  pepper,  are  fruits  of 
his  country,  we  learnt  that  Adjutant  Bevignac  was  at  the  head  of 
the  party.  Dufailli  had  no  inclination  to  get  into  his  clutches ; 
and,  as  for  me,  I  had  excellent  reasons  for  wishing  to  escape. 
'The  staircase — go  up  the  staircase,  and  guard  the  passage,'  roared 
out  Bevignac.  But  whilst  he  thus  bellowed  and  vociferated,  I  had 
time  to  tie  a  sheet  to  the  window-bar,  and  the  obstacles  which 
separated  us  from  the  armed  force  had  not  yet  been  removed,  when 
Pauline,  The'rese,  Dufailli,  and  myself  were  already  out  of  reach. 
This  threat,  '  Do  not  trouble  yourselves — I  will  follow  you,'  which 
we  heard  at  a  distance,  only  moved  our  laughter.  The  danger  was 
over. 

We  consulted  as  to  where  we  should  pass  the  night.  Therese 
and  Pauline  proposed  that  we  should  quit  the  city,  and  make  a 
pastoral  excursion  into  the  country.  '  No,  no,'  said  Dufailli ;  '  let 
us  go  to  Boutrois;'  and  this  was  agreed  on.  M.  Boutrois,  although 

13 


I94  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

it  was  an  untimely  hour,  opened  his  doors  with  much  politeness. 
'  Ah,'  said  he  to  Dufailli,  '  I  learnt  that  you  had  received  your 
prize-money,  and  you  are  both  right  and  welcome  to  pay  us  a  visit. 
I  have  some  admirable  claret.  What  will  the  ladies  please  to 
take?  A  two-bedded  room,  I  see.'  At  the  same  time  M. 
Boutrois,  armed  with  a  bunch  of  keys,  and  with  a  candle  in  his 
hand,  led  us  to  the  room  destined  for  us.  *  You  will  find  yourself 
quite  at  home  here.  No  one  will  disturb  you  ;  where  we  purvey 
for  the  lieutenant  of  the  marine,  the  commandant  in  chief,  and  the 
commissary-general  of  police,  you  know  no  one  dares  to  interfere. 
Madame  Boutrois,  now,  does  not  like  a  joke,  so  I  shall  take  care 

and  say  that  you  are  alone.  Madame  B is  a  very  good 

woman — a  very  good  woman ;  but  her  manners,  you  see — her 
manners  are  very  formal ;  and  on  this  point  she  is  strictness  per- 
sonified. Women  here  !  If  she  had  only  the  slightest  suspicion  of 
such  a  thing,  she  would  think  herself  lost  for  ever ;  she  has  such 
an  opinion  of  the  sex  in  general !  Oh,  mon  Dieu  !  must  we  not 
live  with  the  living  ? — the  jolly  ? — the  vivacious  ?  I  am  a  philoso- 
pher myself,  provided — mind,  I  say  provided — that  there  is  no 
ground  for  scandal ;  and  suppose  there  were,  why  everyone  to  his 
liking,  as  the  elderly  gentlewoman  said  when  she  embraced  her 
cow ;  every  person  to  his  own  way  of  thinking  and  doing ;  the 
only  point  being,  that  it  does  not  offend  or  prejudice  anyone.' 

M.  Boutrois  treated  us  to  a  great  many  more  equally  brilliant 
aphorisms ;  aft«  r  which  he  told  us  that  he  had  a  well-stocked 
cellar,  all  of  \\hicli  was  at  our  service.  'As  for  the  boiler/ he 
added,  *  that  at  the  present  hour  has  got  rather  cool ;  but  your 
worships  have  only  to  order,  and  in  a  brace  of  seconds  all  shall  be 
ready.'  Dufailli  ordered  some  claret,  and  a  fire,  although  it  was 
quite  hot  enough  to  have  done  without. 

The  claret  was  brought,  five  or  six  logs  were  cast  on  the  fire,  and 
an  ample  collation  spread  before  us.  Some  cold  poultry  occu- 
pied the  centre  of  the  table,  and  formed  the  resisting  point  of  an 
unprepared  repast  where  all  had  been  calculated  for  an  enormous 
appetite.  Dufailli  desired  that  nothing  should  be  wanting ;  and 
M.  Boutrois,  sure  of  being  well  paid,  was  most  complying. 
Therese  and  her  sister  devoured  all  with  their  eyes,  and  I  was  not 
in  a  bad  humour  for  commencing  the  attack  and  carrying  on  the 
war. 

Whilst  I  was  cutting  up  the  fowl,  Dufailli  tasted  the  claret. 
*  Delicious,  delicious  !'  he  repeated,  smacking  his  lips,  and  then 
began  to  drink  heartily  ;  and  scarcely  had  we  begun  to  eat,  than 
an  unconquerable  drowsiness  nailed  him  to  his  chair,  when  he 
snored  away  most  comfortably  until  the  dessert  came  in.  He  then 


CAPTAIN  PAULET.  195 

awoke,  crying  out,  'The  devil — it  blows  hard — where  am  I? 
Does  it  freeze?  I  feel  a  sort  of  an  all-overish-I-don't  know-how- 
ishness.'  '  Oh/  cried  Pauline,  who  took  me  for  a  sapper  of  the 
guards,  'his  supper  has  not  well  digested.' — 'The  papa's  legs  and 
back  are  asleep,'  said  Thdrese,  in  her  turn,  and  opening  a  sort  of 
sweetmeat-box  in  which  was  some  snuff;  'take  a  pinch,  my  vener- 
able ;  that  will  clear  your  eyes.'  Dufailli  took  a  pinch  ;  and  if  I 
mention  this  circumstance,  trifling  in  itself,  it  is  because  I  have 
before  neglected  to  say  that  Pauline's  sister  was  more  than  thirty, 
and  from  the  simple  fact  that  she  took  snuff  like  a  lawyer  or  com- 
missary's clerk,  we  may  easily  imagine  that  she  was  not  in  the 
freshness  and  bloom  of  youth  and  beauty. 

However  that  may  be,  Dufailli  made  much  of  her.  '  I  like  the 
little  thing,'  he  said  occasionally,  'she  is  a  good  girl.' — *  Oh,  that  is 
nothing  new,'  replied  Therese  ;  '  whenever  a  vessel  anchors  in  our 
roads,  I  have  gone  through  the  scrutiny  of  all  the  crew ;  and  I  defy 
any  sailor  to  say  "  black's  the  white  of  my  eye."  When  one  knows 

how  to  behave  as  one  should,  one '  *  The  wench  says  right,' 

interrupted  Dufailli.  '  I  like  her  because  she  is  open,  and  so  I  will 
give  her  a  good  turn.' — '  Ah,  ah,  ah,'  cried  Pauline,  laughing  and 
then  addressing  me,  '  And  you,  will  you  give  me  a  similar  turn  ?' 

Thus  ran  on  our  conversation,  when  we  heard,  coming  from  the 
road  leading  to  the  harbour,  a  body  of  men,  whose  boots  made  a 
great  noise  as  they  walked.  '  Captain  Paulet  for  ever  !'  they  cried 
out ;  '  Captain  Paulet  for  ever  !'  The  troop  soon  stopped  in  front 
of  the  hotel.  *  Hollo  !  Father  Boutrois,  Father  Boutrois  !'  they  roared 
out  all  together.  Some  tried  to  force  the  door  ;  others  thumped  with 
the  knocker  in  a  most  energetic  manner  ;  some  pulled  the  bell  with 
incredible  violence ;  and  others  threw  stones  at  the  shutters. 

At  this  uproar  I  started,  imagining  that  our  asylum  was  to  be 
again  attacked  ;  Pauline  and  her  sister  were  not  quite  at  ease ;  and 
at  length  somebody  running  hastily  down  stairs,  four  steps  at  a 
time,  the  door  was  opened,  and  there  was  a  rush  as  if  the  embank- 
ment of  a  ditch  had  given  way.  The  torrent  was  headlong ;  a 
mixture  of  voices  uttered  sounds  quite  unintelligible  to  us.  *  Peter, 
Paul,  Jenny,  Eliza,  house,  everybody,  wife,  get  up  !  By  Jove,  they 
sleep  like  dormice.'  One  might  have  thought  that  the  house  was 
on  fire.  We  soon  heard  doors  opening  and  shutting ;  there  was  a 
noise  of  tables,  an  inconceivable  uproar,  a  female  servant  who  was 
bitterly  complaining  of  indecent  treatment,  shouts  of  riotous 
laughter,  and  bottles  rattling  and  breaking.  Plates,  dishes,  and 
glass  clashing  together,  and  the  winding  up  of  the  jack,  added  to 
the  din ;  a  clinking  of  money,  oaths  in  English  and  French  occasion- 
ally heard  amidst  this  infernal  clatter,  all  made  the  place  a  perfect 

13— a 


196  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

bedlam  broke  loose.  c  By  Jove,  it  is  joy,  or  I  never  heard  it  before/ 
said  Dufailli.  'What  are  all  these  rejoicings  for?  What  does  it 
mean  ?  Have  they  captured  the  Spanish  galleons  ?  But  this  is  not 
the  track  for  them.' 

Dufailli  cudgelled  his  brain  to  make  out  the  cause  of  all  the 
uproar,  which  was  to  me  equally  inexplicable,  when  M.  Boutrois, 
with  a  radiant  face,  entered,  to  ask  leave  to  light  a  fire.  '  You  do 
not  know,'  said  he,  *  that  the  Revanche  has  just  come  into  port. 
Our  Paulet  has  been  carrying  on  the  war  in  his  old  way  ;  is  he 
not  a  fortunate  fellow  ?  A  capture  of  three  millions  (francs)  beneath 
the  very  cannon  of  Dover.' — 'Three  millions  !'  cried  Dufailli,  *  and 
I  not  there  !' — '  Do  you  hear  that,  sister  ?  Three  millions  !'  added 
Pauline,  jumping  like  a  young  kid.  *  Three  millions  !'  echoed 
The'rese,  '  I  am  delighted  !  We  shall  come  in  for  a  share  !'— *  Ah, 
woman,  woman,'  interrupted  Dufailli,  '  interest  before  all  :  you 
should  rather  think  of  your  mother,  who  is  perhaps  at  this  moment 

in  darkness  and  distress.' — '  Mother  Thomas  is  an  old '  added 

The'rese.  '  Come,  that  is  neat,  very  neat,'  observed  Boutrois,  '  for 
a  daughter.  "  Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother,  that  thy  days 
may  be  long,"  etc.' — *  I  cannot  swallow  that  three  millions,'  said 
Dufailli.  *  Tell  us,  Father  Boutrois,  all  about  it'  Our  host  excused 
himself  on  the  plea  of  business ;  '  Besides,'  he  added,  *  I  do  not 
well  know  the  particulars,  and  am  in  a  great  hurry.' 

The  riot  continued  :  I  heard  them  ranging  chairs,  and  the 
silence  that  followed  betokened  that  their  jaws  were  filled.  As  it 
was  probable  that  there  would  be  some  suspension  of  these  noises, 
I  proposed  that  we  should  go  to  bed,  which  was  agreed  on ;  and 
as  daybreak  was  near  at  hand,  that  we  might  not  be  disturbed  by 
the  light,  and  make  up  for  lost  time,  we  drew  the  curtains  close. 

However,  we  were  not  aroused  so  soon  as  I  had  anticipated : 
sailors  eat  fast  and  drink  long.  Songs,  which  shook  the  very 
glasses,  at  length  disturbed  our  repose;  forty  discordant  voices 
joining  in  the  chorus  of  the  celebrated  hymn  of  Roland.  '  Devil 
take  the  singers  ?'  cried  Dufailli,  *  I  had  the  most  agreeable  dream  : 
— I  was  at  Toulon  :  were  you  ever  at  Toulon,  old  fellow  ?'  I  an- 
swered Dufailli,  that  I  knew  Toulon,  but  could  not  see  what  rela- 
tion there  could  be  between  his  agreeable  dream  and  that  city. 
'I  was  a  galley-slave,'  he  replied,  'and  I  had  just  escaped* 
Dufailli  perceived  that  this  statement  made  an  unpleasant  impres- 
sion on  me,  which  I  could  not  conceal.  '  Well,  what  is  the  matter 
with  you,  countryman  ?  I  had  just  escaped,  and  that's  no  bad 
dream,  I  think,  for  a  prisoner.  It  was  only  a  dream,  to  be  sure  j 
but  that  is  not  all,  for  I  entered  amongst  the  corsairs,  and  got  as 
much  gold  as  I  could  carry.' 


CAPTAIN  PAULET.  197 

Although  I  have  never  been  superstitious,  I  must  confess  I  took 
Dufailli's  dream  as  a  prediction  on  my  future  lot ;  it  was  perhaps 
a  warning  from  heaven,  to  determine  the  course  I  should  pursue. 
'  However,'  said  I  to  myself,  'at  present  I  do  not  deserve  heaven's 
interposition,  and  perhaps  I  only  fancy  it.'  I  soon  made  another 
reflection.  It  occurred  to  me,  that  the  old  sergeant  might  have 
been  venting  his  suspicions  of  me,  and  the  idea  vexed  me.  I 
rose ;  and  Dufailli  saw  that  I  had  an  air  more  serious  than  usual. 
'  What  ails  you  ?'  said  he,  '  why,  you  look  as  moping  as  an  owl.' — 
'  Has  anybody  sold  you  pease  which  you  cannot  boil  ?'  asked 
Pauline,  taking  me  by  the  arm,  and  swinging  me  round  to  disturb 
my  reverie.  *  Is  he  in  the  doldrums  ?'  inquired  The'rese.  '  Hold 
your  tongue,'  replied  Dufailli,  '  and  speak  when  you  have  leave  to 
do  so ;  in  the  meantime,  sleep,  sluts,  sleep,  and  do  not  move  till 
we  return.' 

He  then  beckoned  me  to  follow  him;  and  in  obeying  he  con- 
ducted me  to  a  little  parlour,  where  we  found  Captain  Paulet  and 
his  crew,  the  majority  of  whom  were  drunk  with  wine  and  joy. 
As  soon  as  we  appeared,  there  was  a  unanimous  shout  of  *  Dufailli ! 
Dufailli !' — '  Hail  to  mine  ancient !'  said  Paulet ;  and  then,  offering 
my  companion  a  seat  beside  him,  added,  'Anchor  here,  my  old 
cock ;  we  may  well  say  that  Providence  is  good.  M.  Boutrois, 
Boutrois,  bring  more  "  bishops,"  as  if  it  rained  wine.  Come,  we 
will  have  no  sorrow  here,  from  this  time  henceforward,'  he  added, 
pressing  Dufailli's  hand.  Paulet  then  looked  attentively  at  me, 
and  said,  "  I  think  I  know  you — we  have  met  before ;  you  have 
handled  a  marline-spike,  my  hearty.' 

I  told  him  that  I  had  been  on  board  the  privateer  Barras,  but 
that  I  did  not  recollect  having  ever  met  him  before.  'Well,  then, 
we  will  make  acquaintance  now.  I  do  not  know,'  he  added,  '  but 
you  look  like  a  jolly  dog — a  lad  for  all  sorts  of  weathers,  as  we  say. 
I  say,  my  boys,  has  he  not  the  look  of  a  hearty  chap  ?  I  like  the 
cut  of  his  jib.  Sit  here,  on  my  right  hand ;  by  my  fist,  what  a 
back  and  loins ;  here  are  shoulders  !  You  are  just  the  lad  for 
fishing  for  Englishmen.'  On  finishing  these  words,  he  put  on  my 
head  his  red  cap.  '  It  does  not  look  amiss  on  the  lad,'  he  added, 
with  a  knowing  look,  but  in  which  there  was  much  kindness. 

I  saw  at  once  that  the  captain  would  not  be  sorry  to  number  me 
amongst  his  crew.  Dufailli,  who  had  not  yet  become  speechless, 
exhorted  me  most  energetically  to  profit  by  the  opportunity ;  this 
was  the  good  advice  he  had  promised  me,  and  I  followed  it.  It 
was  agreed  that  I  should  go  a  voyage,  and  that  the  next  day  I 
should  go  to  the  owner,  M.  Choisnard,  who  would  advance  me 
some  money. 


19$  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

It  must  not  be  doubted  but  that  I  was  well  received  by  my  new 
comrades ;  the  captain  had  placed  a  thousand  crowns  to  their 
credit  at  the  hotel,  and  many  of  them  had  other  resources  in  the 
city.  I  never  witnessed  such  profusion.  Nothing  was  too  dear  or 
delicate  for  the  privateers.  M.  Boutrois,  to  satisfy  them,  was  com- 
pelled to  put  the  whole  city  and  environs  in  requisition,  and  even 
despatched  couriers  to  nourish  their  luxurious  palates,  the  duration 
of  which  was  not  limited  to  a  single  day.  It  was  on  Monday,  and 
my  companion  was  not  sobered  by  the  following  Sunday;  as  for 
me,  my  stomach  and  head  agreed  delightfully,  and  neither  received 
the  slightest  check. 

Dufailli  had  forgotten  his  promise  to  the  ladies,  and  I  reminded 
him  of  it;  and  quitting  our  party  for  a  moment,  I  returned  to 
them,  presuming  that  they  were  growing  impatient  at  our  absence. 
Pauline  was  alone — her  sister  had  gone  to  learn  what  was  become 
of  their  mother ;  she  soon  returned,  and  throwing  herself  on  the 
bed,  she  exclaimed  with  an  air  of  despair,  'We  are  undone  for 
ever.' — 'What  is  the  matter?'  I  asked.  'We  are  lost/  she 
answered,  with  her  face  bathed  in  tears.  '  Two  men  have  been 
carried  to  the  hospital  with  broken  ribs,  a  guard  has  been  wounded, 
and  the  commandant  has  ordered  the  house  to  be  shut  up.  What 
will  become  of  us  ?  where  can  we  find  a  home  ? 

'  A  home,'  said  I,  '  you  shall  always  find ;  but  where  is  your 
mother  ?'  Therese  answered  that  her  mother  was  first  led  to  the 
guard-house,  and  afterwards  to  the  city  prison,  and  the  report  was 
that  she  would  not  very  easily  get  out  again. 

This  information  gave  me  some  uneasiness  :  Mother  Thomas 
would  be  questioned,  and  perhaps  had  already  been  examined  at 
the  police-office,  or  by  the  commissary-general ;  and  she  doubtless 
had  mentioned,  or  would  mention,  Dufailli's  name;  and  if  he  were 
questioned  I  should  be  so  also.  It  was  important  to  prevent  this  ; 
I  returned  with  haste  to  concert  with  the  sergeant  the  measures 
necessary  to  be  pursued.  Fortunately,  he  was  not  so  far  gone  as 
not  to  hear  reason.  I  talked  only  of  the  danger  which  threatened 
him ;  he  understood  me,  and  taking  twenty  guineas  from  his 
pocket,  '  Here,'  said  he,  '  is  wherewithal  to  stop  Mother  Thomas's 
blabbing  tongue ;'  and  then  calling  a  waiter  to  him,  he  gave  him 
the  money,  desiring  him  to  carry  it  forthwith  to  the  prisoner.  '  He 
is  the  gaoler's  son,'  said  Dufailli,  *  and  has  admittance  everywhere  ; 
and,  moreover,  is  a  close  and  discreet  lad.' 

Our  messenger  returned  quickly,  and  told  us  that  Mother 
Thomas,  though  twice  examined,  had  mentioned  no  names,  and 
had  received  the  bribe  with  gratitude ;  vowing  that  she  was  deter- 
mined, if  she  died  for  it,  to  say  nothing  that  could  injure  us ;  and 


PAULETS  LIEUTENANT.  199 

thus  I  was  assured  that  I  had  nothing  to  fear  on  this  head.  '  And 
as  to  the  wenches,  what  must  we  do  with  them  ?'  said  I  to  Dufailli. 
'  Oh,  we  must  export  them  to  Dunkirk,  and  I  will  pay  the  ex- 
penses,' he  replied ;  and  we  then  returned  to  prepare  them  for 
their  departure.  At  first  they  appeared  astonished;  but  after  some 
arguments,  proving  it  was  the  best  method  they  could  adopt,  and 
that  there  was  danger  in  remaining  longer  at  Boulogne,  they  resolved 
to  leave  us.  The  next  day  we  started  them  off,  and  the  parting 
did  not  cost  us  much  pain. 

Mother  Thomas  recovered  her  liberty  after  six  months'  confine- 
ment; Pauline  and  her  sister  then  returning  to  the  maternal  bosom, 
though  torn  from  their  native  soil,  renewed  the  courses  of  their 
former  lives.  I  know  not  whether  they  made  a  fortune  ;  it  is  not 
impossible.  But  for  want  of  accurate  information,  I  here  end  their 
history,  and  resume  my  own. 

Paulet  and  his  crew  had  scarcely  noticed  our  absence  before  we 
rejoined  them  ;  we  sang,  drank,  and  ate  alternately  without  stirring, 
until  midnight ;  thus  confounding  all  repasts  in  one  lengthened 
meal.  Paulet  and  Fleuriot,  his  second  in  command,  were  the 
heroes  of  the  feast ;  physically,  as  well  as  morally,  they  were  the 
perfect  antipodes  of  each  other.  The  former  was  a  stout  short 
man,  strong-backed,  square-set,  with  a  neck  like  a  bull ;.  wide 
shoulders,  a  full  face,  and  his  features  like  those  of  a  lion,  his  aspect 
either  fierce  or  gentle  ;  in  fight  he  was  pitiless,  elsewhere  he  was 
humane  and  compassionate.  At  the  moment  of  boarding  he  was 
a  perfect  demon  ;  in  the  bosom  of  his  family,  and  with  his  wife 
and  children,  except  a  little  roughness  of  manner,  he  was  as  mild 
as  a  dove ;  then  he  was  the  jolly,  simple,  bluff,  and  rough  farmer ; 
a  perfect  patriarch,  whom  it  was  impossible  to  discern  in  the 
pirate.  Once  on  shipboard,  his  manners  and  language  entirely 
changed,  and  he  became  harsh  and  coarse  to  excess ;  his  will  was 
as  despotic  as  that  of  an  Oriental  pasha  :  abrupt  and  rude,  he  had 
an  iron  arm  and  will,  and  woe  to  him  who  opposed  either.  Paulet 
was  a  daring  and  good  man,  sensible  though  brutal ;  no  one  ever 
possessed  more  frankness  and  loyalty. 

Paulet's  lieutenant  was  one  of  the  most  singular  beings  I  ever 
met  with  :  endowed  with  a  most  robust  constitution,  although  yet 
very  young,  he  had  tried  it  with  every  sort  of  excess ;  he  was  one 
of  those  libertines  who,  by  dint  of  anticipating  the  pleasures  of 
life's  stores,  spends  his  revenue  before  he  gets  it,  eats  his  calf  in 
the  cow's  belly.  Headstrong,  with  vivid  passions  and  a  heated 
imagination,  he  had  early  abandoned  himself  to  premature  ex- 
cesses. He  had  not  reached  his  twentieth  year,  when  the  decay 
of  his  lungs,  together  with  a  universal  sinking  of  his  whole  frame, 


200  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

had  compelled  him  to  quit  the  artillery,  into  which  he  had  entered 
at  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  now  this  poor  fellow  had  scarcely  a 
breath  of  life  in  him  ;  he  was  frightfully  thin;  two  large  eyes,  whose 
blackness  made  more  apparent  the  melancholy  paleness  of  his 
complexion,  were  apparently  all  that  remained  of  this  carcase,  in 
which,  however,  was  a  soul  of  fire.  Fleuriot  was  not  ignorant  that 
his  days  were  numbered.  The  most  able  physicians  had  pro- 
nounced his  sentence  of  death,  and  the  certainty  of  his  approaching 
dissolution  had  suggested  to  him.  a  strange  resolution.  This  is 
what  he  told  me  upon  the  subject :  '  I  served,'  said  he,  '  in  the  fifth 
regiment  of  light  artillery,  where  I  was  entered  as  a  volunteer.  The 
regiment  was  quartered  at  Metz.  A  gay  life  and  hard  work  had 
exhausted  me,  and  I  was  as  dry  as  parchment.  One  morning  the 
turn-out  was  sounded,  and  we  set  off.  I  fell  sick  by  the  way,  and 
received  an  hospital  order ;  and  a  few  days  afterwards,  the  doctors, 
seeing  that  I  spit  blood  abundantly,  declared  that  my  lungs  were 
not  in  a  state  to  be  subjected  to  the  exercises  of  a  horse,  and,  con- 
sequently, I  was  advised  to  enter  the  foot  artillery  :  and  scarcely 
was  I  well  when  I  did  so.  I  left  one  berth  for  another,  the  small 
for  the  large,  the  six  for  the  twelve,  the  spur  for  the  spatterdash. 
I  had  no  longer  to  gallop  hard,  but  I  had  to  turn  my  body  about 
on  the  platform ;  to  jump  up  and  down  like  a  goat,  to  roll  gun- 
carriages  about,  to  dig  trenches,  to  strap  up  artillery  gear,  and, 
worse  than  that,  to  carry  on  my  back  the  infernal  knapsack,  that 
eternal  calf  s  skin  which  has  killed  more  conscripts  than  the  guns 
of  Marengo.  The  calf  s  skin  gave  me  a  knock-down  blow.  I 
could  not  resist  its  attack.  I  offered  myself  to  the  depot,  and  was 
admitted.  I  had  only  to  undergo,  the  inspection  of  the  general. 
He  was  that  martinet  Sarrazin.  He  came  to  me.  "  I  will  wager 
that  he  is  still  weak-chested  :  are  you  not  ?"  "  Consumption  in 
the  second  degree."  replied  the  major.  "  Is  it  so  ?  I  thought  it. 
I  said  so.  They  are  all  narrow-shouldered,  hollow-chested,  lanky- 
limbed,  thick-visaged.  Show  your  legs.  Why  there  are  four 
campaigns  in  them  yet,"  continued  the  general,  striking  me  on  the 
calf.  "  And  now,  what  would  you  ?  Your  dismissal  ?  You 
shan't  have  it.  Besides,"  he  added,  "  death  only  comes  to  him 
who  pauses:  go  your  way."  I  wished  to  speak.  "Begone,"  re- 
peated the  general,  "  and  be  silent." 

'The  inspection  concluded,  I  went  and  threw  myself  on  my 
camp-bed,  and  whilst  I  reclined  on  my  four-feet-long  mattress,  re- 
flecting on  the  harshness  of  the  general,  it  occurred  to  me  that  I 
might  find  him  more  tractable  if  I  were  recommended  by  one  of 
his  brother  officers.  My  father  had  been  intimate  with  General 
Legrand,  who  was  then  at  the  camp  at  Ambleteuse,  and  I  thought 


PAULETS  LIEUTENANT.  201 

I  might  find  a  protector  in  him.  I  saw  him,  and  he  welcomed 
me  as  the  son  of  an  old  friend,  gave  me  a  letter  to  Sarrazin,  and 
sent  one  of  his  aides-de  camp  to  attend  me.  The  recommendation 
was  pressing,  and  I  made  sure  of  success.  We  arrived  at  the 
camp,  and  making  for  the  general's  abode,  a  soldier  pointed  it  out 
to  us,  and  we  found  ourselves  at  the  gate  of  a  dilapidated  barrack, 
which  bore  no  marks  of  being  a  general's  residence ;  no  sentinel, 
no  inscription,  no  sentry  box.  I  knocked  with  my  sabre-hilt,  and 
a  voice  cried  "  Enter,"  with  the  accent  and  tone  of  displeasure. 
A  packthread,  which  I  pulled,  drew  up  a  wooden  latch,  and  the 
first  object  that  met  our  eyes  on  penetrating  this  asylum,  was  a 
woollen  covering,  under  which,  lying  side  by  side  on  the  straw, 
were  the  general  and  his  negro.  In  this  posture  he  gave  us 
audience.  Sarrazin  took  the  letter,  and  having  read  it,  without 
changing  his  position,  he  said  to  the  aide-de-camp,  "  General 
Legrand  takes  an  interest  in  this  young  man.  Well,  what  would 
he  have  ?  that  I  put  him  on  half-pay  ?  Oh !  he  cannot  think  of 
such  a  thing."  Then  addressing  me,  "  How  much  fatter  should 
you  be,  if  I  put  you  on  half-pay  ?  Oh,  you  have  a  fine  prospect  at 
home !  if  you  are  rich,  to  die  gradually  with  over-nursing ;  if  you 
are  poor,  to  increase  the  misery  of  your  parents,  and  finish  your 
days  in  an  hospital.  I  am  a  doctor  for  you  :  and  my  prescription 
is  a  bullet,  and  then  your  cure  will  follow :  if  you  escape  that,  the 
knapsack  will  do  for  you,  or  marching  and  exercise  will  put  you  to 
rights ;  these  are  additional  chances.  Besides,  do  as  I  do,  drink 
tar- water :  that  is  worth  all  your  jalaps,  and  gruels,  and  messes." 
At  the  same  time  he  stretched  out  his  arm,  seized  a  large 
pitcher,  which  was  near  him,  and  filled  a  can,  which  he  offered  to 
me,  and  all  refusal  was  in  vain.  I  was  compelled  to  swallow  some 
of  the  nauseous  stuff,  as  was  also  the  aide-de-camp ;  the  general 
drank  after  us,  and  his  negro,  to  whom  he  handed  the  can,  finished 
what  was  left 

'  There  was  then  no  hope  of  his  recalling  the  decision  against 
which  I  had  appealed,  and  we  withdrew  greatly  discontented. 
The  aide-de-camp  returned  to  Ambleteuse  and  I  to  Fort  Chatillon, 
which  I  entered  more  dead  than  alive.  From  this  moment  I 
became  the  prey  to  an  apathetic  sadness,  which  absorbed  all  my 
faculties :  I  then  obtained  an  exemption  from  service :  night  and 
day  I  remained  on  my  couch,  indifferent  to  all  around  me ;  and  I 
think  I  should  have  remained  in  that  position  till  now,  if  one 
winter's  night  the  English  had  not  determined  to  burn  our  flotilla. 
An  inconceivable  fatigue,  although  I  did  nothing,  seizing  on  my 
senses,  had  induced  a  profound  sleep.  Suddenly  I  was  aroused 
by  the  report  of  cannons.  I  arose,  and  through  the  panes  of  my 


202  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

window,  I  saw  a  thousand  fires  crossing  each  other  in  the  air. 
On  one  side  were  immense  trains  of  fire  like  rainbows ;  on  the 
other  side  were  vast  stars,  which  seemed  to  grow  larger  and  redder, 
and  my  first  idea  was  that  I  saw  fireworks.  At  length  a  noise  like 
that  of  torrents,  which  precipitate  themselves  in  cascades  from  the 
tops  of  rocks,  gave  me  a  sort  of  shuddering  feeling :  at  intervals 
darkness  usurped  the  place  of  the  ruddy  light,  which  I  can  only 
compare  to  daylight  in  hell.  The  very  earth  seemed  scorched  by 
it.  I  was  already  agitated  by  fever,  and  I  thought  rny  head  was 
swelling  larger  and  larger.  The  muster-call  was  beaten,  I  heard 
the  cry  "  To  arms !"  and  on  the  ground  the  trampling  of  horses' 
feet  Terror  seized  me,  and  delirium  possessed  me.  I  got  my 
boots,  and  tried  to  pull  them  on ;  it  was  impossible ;  they  were 
too  tight,  my  legs  were  entangled  in  them ;  I  tried  to  pull  them 
off  again  ;  I  could  not.  During  my  exertions  each  moment  in- 
creased my  fears ;  all  my  comrades  were  dressed ;  the  silence  which 
reigned  about  me  warned  me  that  I  was  alone,  and  whilst,  from 
all  parts,  persons  were  running  together,  without  thinking  of  the 
inconvenience  of  my  boots,  I  fled  with  haste  across  the  country, 
carrying  my  clothes  under  my  arms. 

'  Next  day  I  reappeared  amidst  all  the  people  whom  I  found 
living.  Ashamed  of  a  cowardice  at  which  I  was  myself  astonished, 
I  had  trumped  up  a  story,  which  if  I  could  insure  belief,  would 
have  given  me  the  reputation  of  a  hero.  Unfortunately,  the  tale 
was  not  swallowed  so  easily  as  I  could  have  desired ;  no  one  was 
the  dupe  of  my  lies :  sarcasms  and  rude  jokes  without  end  were 
thrown  out,  until  I  almost  burst  with  spite  and  rage ;  in  any  other 
circumstances  I  would  have  fought  the  whole  regiment,  but  I  was 
in  a  state  of  weakness,  from  which  I  did  not  rouse  till  the  follow- 
ing night,  when  I  recovered  a  little  of  my  wonted  energy. 

*  The  English  had  again  commenced  the  bombardment  of  the 
city,  and  were  so  close  to  the  shore,  that  we  could  even  hear  their 
voices,  and  the  balls  of  the  thousand  cannons  on  the  coast  passed 
over  their  heads.  Movable  batteries  were  then  erected,  which, 
to  approach  them  as  closely  as  possible,  floated  according  to  the 
ebb  and  flow  of  the  tide.  I  was  ordered  to  the  command  of  a 
twelve-pounder,  which  having  stationed  at  the  extremity  of  the 
rafts,  we  anchored.  At  that  very  moment,  a  shower  of  bullets 
were  directed  at  us :  our  howitzers  were  observed  under  the 
waggons,  and  amongst  the  horses.  It  was  evident  that  in  spite  of 
the  obscurity  of  the  night,  we  had  become  an  object  of  aim  to  the 
enemy.  We  were  about  to  return  the  compliment,  and  had  altered 
the  level  of  our  gun,  when  my  corporal,  almost  as  much  alarmed 
as  I  had  been  the  previous  evening,  desirous  of  seeing  if  the  trun- 


PA  ULETS  LIEUTENANT.  203 

nions  had  got  loose  in  shifting  the  gun,  placed  his  hand  on  them, 
and  suddenly  uttered  a  piercing  shriek  which  was  re-echoed  all 
along  the  bank.  His  fingers  were  crushed  beneath  twenty  hundred- 
weight of  metal.  He  attempted  to  disengage  them,  but  the  in- 
cumbent mass  only  pressed  the  more  heavily,  and  he  was  still  held 
fast,  and  when  enabled  to  disengage  himself  he  fainted.  A  dram 
of  brandy  revived  him,  and  I  offered  to  lead  him  to  the  camp, 
which  was  no  doubt  set  down  as  a  pretext  for  absenting  myself. 

*  The  corporal  and  I  walked  away  together ;  but  at  the  moment 
of  entering  the  artillery  warren,  which  we  had  to  cross,  a  burning 
hand-grenade  fell  between  two  chests  filled  with  powder.  The 
danger  was  imminent,  and  in  a  few  seconds  the  whole  ammunition 
would  have  blown  up.  By  running  away  I  could  have  escaped 
safely,  but  a  change  came  over  me,  and  death  was  no  longer  fear- 
ful. Quicker  than  lightning,  I  seized  on  the  metal  tube,  whence 
brimstone  and  fiery  matter  were  escaping,  and  attempted  to  extin- 
guish the  flame ;  but  this  being  impossible,  I  carried  it  in  my 
hand,  blazing  as  it  was,  to  a  distance ;  and  the  instant  I  threw  it 
on  the  earth,  it  burst  with  a  violence  that  shivered  the  metal  to 
pieces. 

4  There  was  a  witness  of  this  deed ;  my  hands,  my  face,  my 
burnt  garments,  the  sides  of  the  powder-boxes  already  blackened 
with  fire,  all  testified  my  courage.  I  might  have  been  proud,  but 
I  was  only  satisfied :  my  companions  would  henceforward  have  no 
right  to  taunt  me  with  their  offensive  jokes.  We  went  onwards, 
and  scarcely  had  we  advanced  a  single  step,  when  the  whole 
atmosphere  seemed  one  blaze  of  fire ;  the  flames  appeared  in  seven 
places  at  once,  and  the  brilliant  and  horrible  light  seemed  at  the 
harbour :  the  slates  cracked,  whilst  the  roofs  were  burning,  and  we 
thought  we  heard  the  report  of  musquetry.  Some  detachments, 
deceived  by  this,  scoured  about  to  discover  the  enemy.  Nearer 
to  us,  at  a  short  distance  from  the  ship-building  yard,  clouds  of 
smoke  and  flame  rose  from  a  thatch,  whence  the  burning  straw 
was  driven  in  all  directions  by  the  wind.  We  heard  a  cry  of  dis- 
tress— the  voice  of  a  child — which  struck  to  my  heart;  it  was 
perhaps  too  late,  but  I  determined  to  attempt  its  rescue,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  restoring  the  infant  to  its  mother,  who,  having  left  it  for 
an  instant,  was  returning  to  it  in  an  agony  of  distress. 

1  My  honour  was  now  redeemed,  and  cowardice  could  no  longer 
be  charged  upon  me,  I  returned  to  the  battery,  when  every 
person  congratulated  me.  A  chief  of  a  battalion  promised  me  a 
cross,  which  he  had,  however,  been  unable  to  procure  for  himself 
for  forty  years,  because  he  had  always  had  the  bad  luck  to  get 
behind,  and  never  in  front  of  the  cannon.  I  was  now  in  a  fair  way 


204  MEMOIRS  OF  VTDOCQ. 

of  getting  renown,  and  opportunities  presented  perpetually.  There 
were  mediators  appointed  between  England  and  France  to  nego- 
tiate for  peace.  Lord  Lauderdale  was  in  Paris  as  plenipotentiary, 
when  the  telegraph  announced  the  bombardment  of  Boulogne, 
which  was  but  the  second  act  to  the  attack  of  Copenhagen.  At 
this  information,  the  emperor,  indignant  at  a  causeless  renewal  of 
hostilities,  sent  for  Lord  L.,  reproached  him  with  the  perfidy 
of  his  cabinet,  and  ordered  him  to  quit  France  instantly.  A  fort- 
night afterwards,  Lord  Lauderdale  arrived  here  at  the  Canon  d'Or. 
He  was  an  Englishman,  and  the  exasperated  people  were  desirous 
of  revenging  themselves  on  him  :  they  surrounded  him,  mobbed 
him,  and  pressed  upon  him,  and  in  defiance  of  the  protection  of 
two  officers  who  were  attending  him,  they  showered  stones  and 
mud  upon  him  from  all  sides.  Pale,  trembling,  and  faltering,  the 
peer  thought  he  was  about  to  fall  a  sacrifice,  when,  sword  in  hand, 
I  cleared  my  way  through  the  rabble,  crying,  "  Destruction  to 
whoever  strikes  him !"  I  harangued  the  multitude,  dispersed 
them,  and  led  the  way  to  the  harbour,  where,  without  being  sub- 
jected to  farther  insult,  he  embarked  on  board  a  flag-of-truce  boat 
He  soon  reached  the  English  squadron,  which  the  next  evening 
renewed  the  bombardment  The  following  night  we  were  again 
on  the  shore,  and  at  one  o'clock  the  English,  after  throwing  a  few 
Congreve  rockets  suspended  their  firing ;  and  I,  worn  out  with  toil, 
threw  myself  on  a  gun-carriage,  and  slept  soundly.  I  know  not 
how  long  my  sleep  lasted,  but  when  I  awoke  I  was  up  to  my  neck 
in  water,  my  blood  was  frozen,  my  limbs  stiffened,  and  my  sight 
and  memory  bewildered.  Boulogne  had  changed  its  situation,  and 
I  took  the  fire  of  the  flotilla  for  that  of  the  enemy.  It  was  the 
commencement  of  a  lengthened  malady,  during  which  I  obstinately 
refused  to  go  to  the  hospital.  At  length  I  was  convalescent ;  but 
as  I  only  recovered  slowly,  I  was  again  named  for  the  half-pay, 
and  this  time  was  reduced  against  my  own  wish ;  for  I  had  now 
adopted  the  opinion  of  General  Sarrazin. 

1 1  had  no  longer  any  wish  to  die  in  my  bed,  and  applying  to 
myself  the  sense  of  the  words,  "  There  is  only  death  for  him  that 
pauses  " — that  I  might  not  pause,  I  commenced  a  career  in  which, 
without  too  painful  labours,  there  is  a  never-ceasing  activity 
requisite.  Persuaded  that  I  have  but  a  short  time  to  live,  I  am 
determined  to  employ  that  time.  I  have  turned  privateer,  and 
what  risk  do  I  run  ?  I  can  but  be  killed,  and  have  but  little  to 
lose ;  in  the  meanwhile  I  want  for  nothing — emotions  of  every  sort ; 
perils  and  pleasures  ;  and  now  I  never  pause' 

The  reader  will  now  judge  what  sort  of  men  were  Captain 
Paulet  and  his  lieutenant  Scarcely  had  this  latter  a  breath  left  in 


PAULETS  LIEUTENANT.  205 

his  body,  and  yet  in  fight,  as  everywhere  else,  he  was  the  leader. 
Sometimes  he  was  lost  in  dull  thought,  whence  he  roughly  aroused 
himself,  his  head  giving  the  impetus  to  his  system,  and  he  evinced 
a  turbulence  which  was  restrained  by  no  bounds.  There  was  no 
extravagance,  no  wild  sally  of  which  he  was  not  capable ;  and  in 
the  reckless  state  of  excitation,  all  was  dared  by  him.  He  would 
have  scaled  heaven  itself.  I  cannot  tell  all  the  pranks  he  played 
at  the  first  banquet  to  which  Dufailli  had  presented  me.  Some- 
times he  proposed  one  scheme,  sometimes  another ;  at  length  he 
bethought  him  of  the  theatre.  '  What  do  they  play  to-night  ?' — 
'  "Misanthropy  and  Repentance." '  '  I  prefer  the  "  Two  Brothers." 
Comrades  !  which  of  you  is  in  a  snivelling  mood  ?  The  captain 
weeps  every  year  at  his  festival,  we  fellows  know  nothing  of  such 
joys.  They  are  confined  to  the  fathers  of  families.  Do  you  ever 
•  go  to  the  play,  captain  ?  You  should  go ;  for  there  will  be  all  the 
world  there.  All  the  fashionables,  shrimp  girls  in  silken  gowns ; 
the  nobility  of  the  land.  Oh  God  !  heaven  itself  is  struck  to  see 
sows  in  ruffles.  Never  mind ;  these  ladies  must  have  their  play, 
though  it  would  be  as  well  if  they  understood  French.  Oh,  do  go 
and  see  them.  1  remember  some  ladies  at  the  last  ball,  who  being 
asked  to  dance,  answered,  "  I'm  axed  already.'"  '  Come,  come, 
will  you  never  hold  your  gabble  ?*  said  Paulet  to  his  lieutenant, 
whom  none  of  the  men  had  interrupted.  '  Captain,'  he  replied,  *  I 
have  made  a  motion,  and  no  one  has  answered  me  ;  nobody  wants 
to  snivel.  Well,  good-bye ;  I  will  go  and  blubber  alone.' 

Fleuriot  immediately  went  out,  and  the  captain  then  commenced 
his  eulogy.  '  He  has,'  said  he,  '  a  burning  brain,  but  for  courage 
he  is  not  equalled  by  any  man  under  heaven.'  He  then  informed 
us  how  he  was  indebted  to  the  daring  of  Fleuriot  for  the  capture 
he  had  just  made.  The  recital  was  animated  and  well  told,  in  spite 
of  Paulet's  manner,  who  had  a  strange  way  of  pronunciation,  and 
who  informed  us  that  he  had  knocked  out  the  brains  of  a  dozen 
Englishmen  with  a  handspike.  The  evening  advanced,  and  Paulet, 
who  had  not  seen  his  wife  and  children,  was  about  to  retire,  when 
Fleuriot  returned.  He  was  not  alone.  *  Captain,'  said  he,  entering, 
'  what  think  you  of  this  agreeable  sailor  I  have  just  engaged  ?  I 
think  that  red  cap  was  never  placed  over  a  prettier  countenance.' 
— '  True,'  replied  Paulet,  '  but  is  it  a  cabin-boy  you  have  brought 
us  ?  He  has  no  beard.  Parbleu  !'  he  added,  raising  his  voice,  '  it  is  a 
woman  !'  Then  continuing,  with  more  strongly  expressed  astonish- 
ment, '  If  I  am  not  mistaken,  it  is  the  Saint.' — *  Yes,'  replied 
Fleuriot,  'it  is  Eliza,  the  amiable  and  better  half  of  the  manager 
of  the  company  which  now  enchants  Boulogne ;  she  has  come  to 
congratulate  us  upon  our  late  good  fortune.'  *  Madame  amongst 


206  MEMOIRS  OF  V1DOCQ. 

privateers  !'  said  the  captain,  casting  on  the  disguised  actress  a  look 
of  contempt  but  too  expressive  of  his  thoughts.  *  I  compliment 
her  taste ;  she  will  hear  agreeable  conversation ;  the  devil  must 
possess  her  !  A  woman,  too  !' — '  Come,  come,  captain,'  cried 
Fleuriot,  '  privateers  are  not  cannibals,  they  will  not  eat  her  up. 
What  harm  is  there  in  it  ?' — c  None ;  only  the  season  is  propitious 
for  a  cruise ;  my  crew  are  all  well,  and  we  were  in  .no  want  of 
madame  to  improve  their  health.'  At  these  words,  significantly 
uttered,  Eliza  cast  her  eyes  on  the  ground.  '  My  dear  girl,  do  not 
blush,'  said  Fleuriot,  *  the  captain  is  only  jesting.' — '  Not  I,  by 
Neptune,  I  never  jest.  I  remember  the  Saint  Napoleon,  when  the 
whole  staff,  beginning  with  Marshal  Brune,  was  in  commotion, ; 
there  was  no  small  battling  in  that  day :  madame  knows  all  about 
it,  the  how,  the  when,  the  why,  and  the  wherefore,  and  will  not 
wish  me  to  be  more  explicit.' 

Eliza,  humbled  by  this  language,  did  not  repent,  however,  of 
having  accompanied  Fleuriot ;  during  her  agitation,  she  attempted 
to  justify  her  appearance  at  the  Lion  d' Argent,  with  that  softness 
of  tone,  those  insinuating  manners,  that  mildness  of  countenance, 
which  seem  so  foreign  to  licentious  behaviour ;  she  talked  of 
admiration,  glory,  valour,  heroism,  etc.,  that  she  might  make  way 
in  Paulet's  estimation  ;  she  appealed  to  his  gallantry,  and  called 
him  a  '  Chevalier  Frangais.'  Flattery  has  more  or  less  influence 
over  every  mind,  and  Paulet's  language  became  more  polished  ;  he 
excused  himself  as  well  as  possible,  obtained  Eliza's  pardon,  and 
took  leave  of  his  comrades,  recommending  them  to  amuse  them- 
selves, though  there  was  no  fear  of  growing  dull  As  for  me,  I 
could  not  keep  my  eyes  open,  and  I  went  to  my  bed,  where  I  heard 
and  saw  nothing.  Next  day  I  arose,  recruited  and  in  spirits,  and 
Fleuriot  took  me  to  the  owner,  who,  on  the  strength  of  my  appear- 
ance, advanced  me  a  few  five-franc  pieces.  A  week  afterwards, 
seven  of  our  comrades  were  in  the  hospital.  The  name  of  the 

actress,  Saint ,  had  disappeared  from  the  playbill,  and  we  learnt 

that  she  had  profited  by  the  offer  of  part  of  a  postchaise  belonging 
to  a  colonel,  who,  tormented  by  a  thirst  of  gaming,  even  to  the 
risking  the  very  epaulets  of  his  uniform,  had  gone  off  express  to 
Paris. 

I  awaited  with  anxiety  the  moment  of  our  embarkation.  The 
five-franc  pieces  of  M.  Choisnard  were  spent,  and  if  they  allowed 
me  to  live,  they  scarcely  permitted  me  to  cut  any  figure ;  besides, 
on  shore  I  daily  ran  the  risk  of  some  unpleasant  rencontre. 
Boulogne  was  infested  with  a  great  many  bad  fellows ;  Mansui, 
Tribout,  Sale,  were  carrying  on  their  trade  in  the  port,  where  they 
despoiled  the  conscripts,  under  the  orders  of  another  thief  named 


MADAME  HENRI.  207 

Canivet,  who,  in  the  face  of  the  army  and  its  commander,  ven- 
tured to  call  himself  the  decapitator.  I  think  I  still  see  the  legend 
on  his  police-cap,  where  were  depicted  a  death's-head,  swords,  and 
thigh-bones  crossed.  Canivet  was  the  collector,  or  rather  lord- 
paramount,  and  had  a  large  number  of  sub-agents,  cabin-boys,  and 
petty  fellows,  who  paid  him  a  tax  for  the  privilege  of  thieving  : 
he  watched  them  incessantly,  and  if  he  suspected  them  of  deceiv- 
ing him,  he  generally  chastised  them  with  his  sword.  I  thought 
it  likely  that  in  this  gang  there  might  be  some  fugitive  from  the 
galleys,  and  I  feared  recognition.  My  apprehensions  were  the 
better  founded,  as  I  had  heard  a  report  that  many  freed  galley- 
slaves  had  been  placed  either  in  the  corps  of  sappers  or  that  of 
the  military  workmen  in  the  fleet 

For  some  time  nothing  was  talked  of  but  murders,  assassina- 
tions, robberies  ;  and  all  those  crimes  were  evidences  of  the 
presence  of  hardened  villains,  amongst  whom,  perchance,  might 
be  some  with  whom  I  had  compulsorily  associated  when  at 
Toulon.  It  was  absolutely  necessary  to  avoid  them  :  for  to  come 
again  in  contact  would  have  given  me  much  trouble,  from  the 
difficulty  of  not  compromising  myself.  Robbers  are  like  women  ; 
when  we  would  escape  their  vices  and  their  society,  all  league 
against  us  to  prevent  it ;  all  seek  to  retain  the  comrade  who  would 
fly  from  evil ;  and  it  is  a  glory  for  them  to  keep  him  in  the  abject 
state  whence  they  themselves  wish  not  to  be  emancipated,  nor 
would  allow  others  to  escape.  I  recalled  to  mind  the  comrades 
who  denounced  me  at  Lyons,  and  the  motives  that  induced  them 
to  have  me  apprehended.  As  my  experience  was  fresh,  I  was 
very  naturally  inclined  to  profit  by  it,  and  be  on  my  guard ;  and 
consequently  went  into  the  streets  as  seldom  as  possible,  and 
passed  nearly  all  my  time  in  the  lower  town,  at  Madame  Henri's, 
where  the  privateers  boarded,  and  were  accommodated  with  credit 
on  the  strength  of  their  respective  prizes.  Madame  Henri,  sup- 
posing she  had  ever  been  a  wife,  was  now  a  good-looking  widow, 
and  still  attractive,  though  she  owned  to  thirty-six :  she  had  two 
charming  girls,  who,  without  forgetting  themselves,  yet  gave  hopes 
to  every  jolly  lad  whom  fortune  favoured.  Whoever  spent  his 
money  in  the  house  was  a  welcome  guest,  and  he  who  squandered 
most  was  always  first  in  estimation  with  the  mother  and  daughters 
as  long  as  his  profusion  lasted.  The  hands  of  these  girls  had  been 
promised  twenty  times ;  twenty  times  had  they  been  betrothed,  and 
yet  their  reputation  for  virtue  had  never  been  blown  upon.  They 
were  free  in  conversation,  but  reserved  in  manners  ;  and  although 
their  purity  of  mind  was  not  unsullied,  yet  no  one  could  boast  of 
paving  induced  them  to  commit  a.faux-£as.  Yet  how  many  naval 


208  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

heroes  had  been  subdued  by  the  power  of  their  charms !  How 
many  aspirants,  deceived  by  their  unmeaning  coquetries,  had 
flattered  themselves  on  a  predilection  which  was  to  lead  them  to 
so  much  bliss  !  And  then,  how  could  one  not  be  mistaken  as  to 
the  real  sentiments  of  these  chaste  Dianas,  whose  perpetual  amia 
bility  seemed  to  give  the  preference  to  the  person  last  looked 
upon  ?  The  hero  of  to-day  was  feasted,  fondled  ;  a  thousand  little 
peculiar  privileges  permitted — a  kiss,  for  instance,  on  the  sly ;  a 
seducing  glance  of  the  eye  :  economical  advice  was  freely  be- 
stowed, whilst  seeking  to  procure  something  extravagant;  they 
regulated  the  expenditure  of  his  money,  and  as  funds  grew  low, 
which  was  a  matter  of  course,  they  learned  the  fact  of  approach- 
ing penury  by  the  well-timed  proffer  of  a  temporary  loan  ;  it  was 
rarely  refused,  and  without  evincing  indifference  or  disgust,  they 
only  expected  that  necessity  and  love  would  send  the  inamorato  to 
seek  new  perils.  But  scarcely  was  the  wind  in  the  sail  of  the  ship 
of  the  lover,  and  he  was  calculating  the  happy  chances  which  would 
ultimately  lead  to  a  marriage,  and  the  small  loan  which  he  had 
vowed  to  return  an  hundred-fold,  when  already  was  his  place  filled 
by  some  other  fortunate  mortal ;  so  that  in  Madame  Henri's  house 
the  lovers  were  constantly  succeeding  each  other,  and  her  two  girls 
were  like  two  citadels,  which,  always  besieged,  and  always  on  the 
point  of  surrender  in  appearance,  yet  never  yielded.  When  one 
raised  the  siege,  another  attacked  the  spot ;  there  was  illusion  foi 
all,  and  nothing  but  illusion.  Cecile,  one  of  Madame  Henri's 
daughters,  had  passed  her  twentieth  year ;  she  was  a  merry  one,  a 
great  laugher,  and  would  listen  without  blushing  to  the  broadest 
joke  ;  and  denied  only  the  final  surrender  of  the  fort.  Hortense, 
her  sister,  was  much  like  her,  only  younger,  and  her  character  more 
natural;  she  sometimes  said  strange  things;  but  it  seemed  as  if- 
honey  and  orange-flower  water  flowed  in  the  veins  of  these  two 
females,  for  they  were  so  mild  and  gentle  on  all  occasions.  There 
was  no  inflammable  material  in  their  hearts,  although  they  showed 
no  repugnance  to  a  pressing  proposal,  and  evinced  no  astonish- 
ment at  the  familiarity  of  a  sailor ;  yet  be  it  said,  they  did  not  the 
,ess  deserve  the  surname  bestowed  on  the  shepherdess  of  Vau- 
couleurs,  as  well  as  on  a  little  town  of  Picardy. 

It  was  at  the  fireside  of  this  amiable  family  that  I  seated  myself 
for  a  month,  with  a  constancy  that  astonished  myself,  dividing  my 
hours  between  piquet,  cribbage,  and  mild  ale.  The  inactivity  of 
my  life  was  irksome,  but  at  last  it  ceased  :  Paulet  was  desirous  of 
resuming  his  cruise,  and  we  set  sail ;  but  the  nights  were  not  dark 
enough,  and  the  days  had  become  too  long.  All  our  captures  were 
Jimited  to  a  few  poor  coal-brigs,  and  a  sloop  of  no  value ;  on  board 


DEATH  OF  FLEVR10T.  209 

which  we  found  Lord  somebody,  who,  in  the  hopes  of  regaining  his 
appetite,  had  undertaken  a  sea  voyage,  accompanied  by  his  cook. 
He  was  sent  to  spend  his  money  and  eat  his  trout  at  Verdun. 

The  dull  season  was  at  hand,  and  we  had  as  yet  made  no  prizes. 
The  captain  was  as  moody  and  dull  as  a  country  whipping-post. 
Fleuriot  was  entirely  out  of  patience,  swore  and  raved  from  morning 
till  night,  and  from  night  till  morning  was  in  a  tempest  of  rage  ;  all 
the  crew  were  quite  out  of  sorts  (to  use  a  vulgar  expression),  and  I 
think  we  were  all  in  a  humour  which  would  have  led  us  on  to 
attack  a  first-rate  man-of-war.  It  was  midnight,  and  we  had  just 
left  a  small  bay  near  Dunkirk,  and  were  steering  towards  the  English 
coast,  when,  by  the  light  of  the  moon,  which,  bursting  forth  from 
the  thick  clouds,  cast  her  brilliant  rays  on  the  waves,  at  a  short 
distance  we  saw  a  sail.  It  was  a  brig  of  war  which  was  ploughing 
the  glittering  wave.  Paulet  instantly  discerned  it  '  My  lads,'  he 
cried,  '  it  is  our  own ;  every  man  lie  down  on  his  face,  and  I  will 
answer  for  our  success.'  In  an  instant  we  boarded  her.  The 
English  crew  fought  bravely,  and  a  bloody  struggle  ensued  on  the 
deck.  Fleuriot,  who  according  to  custom  was  the  first  to  board, 
fell  amongst  the  number  of  the  dead.  Paulet  was  wounded,  but 
was  avenged  :  and  well  avenged  his  lieutenant  also.  He  struck 
down  all  who  faced  him,  and  never  did  I  witness  such  a  scene  of 
slaughter.  In  less  than  ten  minutes  we  were  masters  of  the  ship, 
and  the  tri-coloured  flag  was  hoisted  in  the  place  of  the  red  flag. 
Twelve  of  our  crew  had  fallen  in  the  action,  in  which  an  equal 
desperation  was  testified  on  both  sides. 

Amongst  those  who  fell  was  one  Lebel,  whose  resemblance  to 
me  was  so  striking  that  it  daily  caused  the  most  singular  mistakes. 
I  called  to  mind  that  my  '  Socia '  had  regular  credentials,  and  it 
occurred  to  me  that  I  should  do  wrong  to  let  slip  so  favourable  an 
opportunity.  Lebel  had  become  food  for  the  fishes,  and  con- 
sequently had  no  farther  need  of  a  passport,  which  would  stand 
me  in  the  greatest  stead. 

The  idea  appeared  to  me  admirable.  I  only  had  one  cause  of 
fear,  which  was  that  Lebel  might  have  left  his  pocket-book  with 
the  owner  of  the  privateer.  I  was  overjoyed  at  discovering  it 
about  his  person,  and  immediately  took  possession  of  it  without 
being  discovered  by  any  person  ;  and  when  they  threw  into  the  sea 
the  sacks  of  sand  in  which  the  dead  bodies  were  put  that  they 
might  the  more  readily  sink,  I  felt  myself  lightened  of  a  great 
weight,  thinking  that  at  length  I  had  got  rid  of  that  Vidocq  who 
had  played  me  so  many  scurvy  tricks. 

However,  I  was  not  completely  assured,  for  Dufailli,  who  was 
our  master  at  arms,  knew  my  name.  This  circumstance  annoyed 

14 


2io  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

me ;  and  that  I  might  have  .nothing  to  dread  from  him,  I  de- 
termined to  let  him  into  my  secret  by  some  pretended  confidence. 
My  precaution  was  useless.  I  called  for  Dufailli  and  sought  him 
in  every  part  of  the  vessel,  but  found  him  not ;  I  went  on  board 
the  Revanche  and  looked  for  him,  called  to  him,  but  no  answer 
was  given  ;  I  went  down  to  the  powder-room,  but  no  Dufailli. 
What  could  have  become  of  him  ?  I  went  to  the  spirit-room ; 
near  a  barrel  of  gin  and  some  bottles  I  saw  an  extended  body :  it 
was  he.  I  shook  him,  turned  him  on  his  back—he  was  breathless 
— livid — dead. 

Such  was  the  end  of  my  protector :  a  congestion  of  the  brain, 
a  sudden  apoplexy,  or  instantaneous  choking  caused  by  intoxi- 
cation, had  terminated  his  career.  Since  the  first  creation  of 
marine  sergeants,  never  was  there  one  who  got  drunk  with  such 
consistent  regularity  and  unremitting  perseverance.  A  single  trait 
characterized  him,  and  this  prince  of  drunkards  related  the  circum- 
stance, as  the  most  delightful  event  of  his  life.  It  occurred  on 
twelfth- day.  Dufailli  had  drawn  king  ;  and  to  honour  his  royalty, 
his  comrades  seated  him  on  a  handbarrow  borne  by  four  gunners. 
On  each  side  of  him  were  placed  bottles  of  brandy  for  distribution ; 
and  elevated  on  this  temporary  palanquin,  Dufailli  made  a  halt 
berore  every  booth  in  the  camp,  where  he  drank  and  made  others 
drink,  amidst  overwhelming  shouts.  These  rejoicings  were  so 
often  repeated,  that  at  last  his  head  became  giddy;  and  his  ephe- 
meral majesty,  introduced  to  a  public-house,  swallowed,  without 
scarcely  tasting  it,  a  pound  of  bacon,  which  he  mistook  for  Gruyere 
cheese.  The  meat  was  indigestible ;  and  Dufailli,  conducted  back 
to  his  barrack,  threw  himself  on  his  bed,  when  he  soon  began  to 
experience  a  most  violent  convulsion  of  the  stomach,  and  in  vain 
did  he  strive  to  repress  the  event  that  followed.  The  crisis  over, 
he  fell  asleep,  and  was  only  awakened  from  his  lethargic  stupor  by 
the  growling  of  a  dog  and  the  noise  of  a  cat,  who  were  quarrelling 
in  his  room  !  Oh,  dignity  of  human  nature,  where  wert  thou  ? 
Such  were  the  lessons  of  temperance  which  the  Spartans  gave  their 
children,  by  making  their  slaves  drunken,  and  then  pointing  out 
the  effect  of  their  excesses  to  them. 

I  have  delayed  an  instant  to  give  the  last  and  finishing  touch  to 
my  fellow-countryman.  He  is  no  more.  Peace  be  to  his  manes! 
Returned  on  board  the  brig,  where  Paulet  had  left  me  with  the 
captain  of  the  prize  and  five  men  of  the  crew  of  the  Revanche, 
scarcely  had  we  closed  the  hatchways  on  our  prisoners,  than  we 
began  coasting  our  way  into  Boulogne  :  but  the  report  of  the 
cannon  fired  by  the  English  before  we  had  boarded  had  summoned 
one  of  their  frigates,  which  bore  down  upon  us,  crowding  all  sail ; 


1  EVERYONE  FOR  HIMSELF:  211 

and  was  soon  so  near  that  several  shots  passed  over  us,  and  we- 
were  pursued  as  far  as  Calais,  when  the  swell  of  the  sea  becoming; 
very  great,  and  a  stormy  wind  blowing  on  shore,  we  thought  she- 
would  sheer  off  for  fear  of  getting  amongst  the  breakers  ;  but  she- 
was  no  longer  under  control,  and,  driven  towards  land,  had  to 
contend  at  once  with  the  violence  of  the  elements.  To  run, 
aground  was  her  only  chance  of  safety,  but  that  was  not  attempted. 
In  a  moment  the  frigate  was  impelled  beneath  the  cross  fires  of 
the  batteries  De  la  Cote  de  Fer,  of  the  jetty,  and  of  Fort  Rouge;; 
and  from  every  quarter  there  came  a  shower  of  bombs,  chain-shot,. 
and  grape.  Amidst  the  horrible  noise  of  a  thousand  shots,  a  cry 
of  distress  was  heard,  and  the  frigate  sank  without  any  possibility/ 
of  succour  being  afforded. 

An  hour  afterwards  it  was  daylight ;  and  in  the  distance  we  saw- 
several  fragments  floating.  A  man  and  woman  were  tied  to  a 
mast,  and  waved  a  handkerchief,  which  we  saw  just  as  we  were 
doubling  Cape  Grenet.  I  thought  we  could  rescue  these  unfortu- 
nate beings,  and  proposed  the  attempt  to  the  commander  of  the 
prize;  and  on  his  refusal  to  allow  us  the  use  of  the  jolly-boat, 
in  a  rage,  I  threatened  to  break  his  skull.  '  Well/  said  he,  with  a 
disdainful  smile,  and  shrugging  his  shoulders,  '  Captain  Paulet  is 
more  humane  than  you ;  he  has  seen  them,  but  does  not  stir  about 
it,  because  it  is  useless.  They  are  there,  and  we  are  here,  and 
everyone  for  himself  in  bad  weather ;  we  have  suffered  quite  loss 
enough,  if  it  were  only  Fleuriot.' 

This  answer  restored  me  to  my  natural  coolness,  and  made  me 
understand  that  we  ourselves  were  in  greater  danger  than  I  had 
imagined.  In  fact,  the  waves  evinced  it;  over  our  heads  were 
gulls  and  divers,  mingling  their  piercing  cries  with  the  shrill 
whistling  of  the  north  wind  ;  in  the  horizon,  darkening  more  and 
more,  were  long  black  and  red  streaks ;  the  face  of  heaven  was 
disfigured,  and  all  betokened  the  impending  tempest  Fortu- 
nately, Paulet  had  skilfully  calculated  time  and  distance  ;  we  failed 
in  reaching  Boulogne  harbour,  but  found  shelter  and  anchorage  at 
Portel,  not  far  from  thence.  On  going  ashore  here,  we  saw  lying 
on  the  strand  the  two  unfortunates  whom  I  would  have  succoured; 
the  flow  of  the  tide  had  cast  them  lifeless  on  a  foreign  shore,  on 
which  we  gave  them  burial.  They  had  been  lovers,  perhaps,  and 
I  was  touched  at  their  fate;  but  other  cares  diminished  my  regrets. 
All  the  population  of  the  village — women,  children,  and  old  men 
^-were  assembled  on  the  coast.  The  families  of  a  hundred  and 
fifty  fishermen  were  in  despair  at  seeing  their  frail  barks  fired  upon 
by  six  English  ships  of  the  line,  whose  solid  oaks  were  furrowing 
the  waves.  Each  spectator,  with  an  anxiety  more  easily  imagined 


212  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

than  described,  followed  with  his  eyes  the  barque  in  which  he  was 
most  interested,  and  according  as  it  was  sunk  or  escaped  from 
peril,  were  cries,  tears,  lamentations,  or  transports  of  rapturous  joy 
evinced.  Mothers,  daughters,  wives,  and  children,  tore  their  hair, 
rent  their  clothes,  thiew  themselves  on  the  earth,  uttering  impre- 
cations and  blasphemies.  Others,  without  reflecting  how  much 
they  insulted  distress,  without  thinking  of  rendering  thanks  to 
Heaven,  towards  which  their  suppliant  hands  had  been  raised  the 
instant  before,  danced,  sung,  and,  with  faces  shining  through  for- 
gotten tears,  manifested  every  symptom  of  the  most  overpowering 
joy.  Fervent  vows,  the  patronage  of  Saint  Nicholas,  the  efficacy 
of  his  intercession,  all  was  forgotten.  Perhaps,  next  day,  recollec- 
tion might  have  returned,  and  a  little  more  compassion  been 
evinced  for  a  suffering  neighbour ;  but  during  the  storm  egotism 
was  paramount ;  and,  as  I  was  answered,  '  everyone  for  himself.' 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

I  enter  the  marine  artillery- -Become  a  corporal — Secret  military  societies — 
'The  Olympians' — Singular  duels — I  am  betrayed,  and  again  in  prison — 
Piedmontese  bandit — Four  murderers  set  at  liberty. 

I  RETURNED  to  Boulogne  the  same  evening :  where  I  learnt  that, 
in  consequence  of  an  order  from  the  general  in  command,  all  the 
individuals  who,  in  each  corps,  were  marked  as  black  sheep,  were 
to  be  immediately  arrested,  and  sent  on  board  the  cruisers.  It  was 
a  sort  of  press  which  was  intended  to  purge  the  army,  and  to  check 
its  demoralization,  which  had  increased  to  an  alarming  extent. 
Thus  I  judged  it  best  to  quit  the  Revanche,  on  board  which,  to 
repair  the  losses  of  the  late  fight,  the  owner  did  not  fail  to  send 
some  of  the  men  whom  the  general  had  deemed  it  expedient  to 
get  rid  of.  Since  Canivet  and  his  myrmidons  were  no  longer  in 
the  camp,  I  thought  there  could  be  no  ill  result  if  I  again  turned 
soldier.  Furnished  with  Lebel's  papers,  I  entered  a  company  of 
gunners,  then  employed  in  coast  service ;  and  as  Lebel  had  formerly 
been  a  corporal  in  this  division,  I  obtained  that  rank  on  the  first 
vacancy ;  that  is,  a  fortnight  after  my  enrolment  Regular  be- 
haviour, and  a  perfect  knowledge  of  my  duties,  with  which  I  was 
well  acquainted,  as  an  artillery-man  of  the  old  school,  soon  acquired 
for  me  the  favour  of  my  officers ;  and  a  circumstance  which  might 
have  gone  greatly  against  me  still  farther  conciliated  them 
towards  me. 

I  was  on  guard  at  the  fort  of  Eure,  during  the  spring-tides, 
and  the  weather  was  excessively  bad ;  mountains  of  water  were 
dashed  over  the  platform  with  so  much  violence,  that  the  thirty-six 


« CORPORAL  LEBEL?  213 

pounders  were  shaken  from  the  embrasures,  and,  at  the  dash  of 
every  wave,  it  seemed  as  if  the  whole  fort  was  rent  to  pieces. 
Until  the  Channel  should  be  calmer,  it  was  evident  that  no  ship  would 
dare  to  venture  out ;  and  night  having  come  on,  I  did  not  station 
sentinels,  but  allowed  the  soldiers  to  remain  in  bed  until  next  day. 
I  watched  for  them,  or  rather,  I  could  not  sleep,  as  I  had  no  need 
of  repose ;  when,  about  three  in  the  morning,  some  words,  which 
I  knew  to  be  English,  struck  on  my  ear ;  at  the  same  time  a 
knocking  commenced  at  a  door  under  the  steps  leading  to  the 
battery.  I  thought  we  were  surprised,  and  immediately  roused 
everybody.  I  put  them  under  arms,  and  had  already  determined 
on  selling  my  life  dearly,  when  I  heard  a  woman's  voice,  who  sup- 
plicated our  aid.  I  scon  heard  distinctly  these  words  in  French  : 
'  Open,  we  have  been  shipwrecked  !'  I  wavered  an  instant,  and 
then  with  due  precaution  and  a  determination  to  sacrifice  the  first 
who  on  entering  should  betray  any  hostile  intent,  I  opened  the 
door,  and  saw  a  woman,  an  infant,  and  five  sailors,  all  more  dead 
than  alive.  My  first  care  was  to  have  them  all  placed  before  a 
roaring  fire,  for  they  were  dripping  with  wet  and  almost  motionless 
from  cold.  My  men  and  I  lent  them  shirts  and  clothing ;  and  as 
soon  as  they  were  a  little  revived,  they  told  us  the  accident  to 
which  their  visit  to  us  was  attributable.  Having  sailed  for  the 
Havannah,  in  a  three-masted  vessel,  and  on  the  point  of  finishing  a 
prosperous  voyage,  they  had  dashed  upon  the  mole  of  our  pier,  and 
only  escaped  death  by  throwing  themselves  on  our  battery  from 
the  main-top.  Nineteen  of  their  crew,  amongst  whom  was  the 
captain,  had  perished  in  the  waves. 

The  sea  still  blockaded  us  for  several  days,  without  any  boat 
daring  to  venture  out  to  us.  At  the  end  of  the  time,  I  was  rowed 
on  shore  with  my  wrecked  sailors,  whom  I  conducted  myself  to  the 
chief  officer  of  the  naval  service,  who  congratulated  me,  as  if  I  had 
taken  so  many  prisoners.  If  it  were  so  brilliant  a  capture,  I  could 
really  have  said  that  it  had  only  caused  me  one  single  fright. 
However  that  may  be,  in  the  company  it  procured  for  me  a  very 
high  opinion. 

1  continued  to  fulfil  my  duties  with  exemplary  punctuality,  and 
three  months  glided  away,  during  which  I  had  nothing  but  praise. 
This  I  determined  always  to  deserve,  but  an  adventurer's  career 
was  still  to  be  my  lot.  A  fatality  which  I  was  compelled  to  submit  to 
unresistingly,  and  often  unknowingly,  perpetually  threw  me  in 
contact  with  persons  and  things  which  were  most  in  opposition  to 
the  destiny  I  was  attempting  to  cut  out  for  myself.  It  was  to  this 
singular  fatality  that,  without  being  enrolled  in  the  secret  societies 
of  the  army,  I  was  indebted  for  being  initiated  into  its  mysteries. 


214  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

It  was  at  Boulogne  that  these  societies  were  first  formed.  The 
first  of  all  was  that  of  the  Olympiens,  whose  founder  was  one 
Crombet  of  Namur.  It  was  at  first  only  composed  of  a  few  young 
naval  officers,  but  it  rapidly  increased,  and  all  military  men  were 
admitted ;  principally,  however,  those  of  the  artillery  corps. 

Nothing  was  more  common  at  Boulogne  than  duelling ;  and  the 
mania  had  extended  even  to  the  dull  and  peaceable  Netherlanders 
of  the  flotilla  under  the  orders  of  Admiral  Werhwel.  There  was 
not  far  from  the  camp  on  the  left,  at  the  foot  of  a  hill,  a  small  wood, 
which  could  be  passed  at  no  hour  without  observing  on  the  turf  a 
dozen  individuals  engaged  in  what  they  called  an  affair  of  honour. 

It  was  here  that  a  celebrated  amazon,  the  Demoiselle  Div , 

fell  under  the  sword  of  a  quondam  lover,  Colonel  Camb ,  who, 

not  recognising  her  in  her  male  attire,  had  accepted  from  her  a 

challenge  to  single  combat.    The  Demoiselle  Div ,  whom  he  had 

.forsaken  for  another,  had  wished  to  perish  beneath  his  hand. 

One  day  I  was  casting  my  eyes  on  this  scene  of  bloody  encounter, 
•from  the  extremity  of  the  left  camp  which  peopled  the  extensive 
yplain,  when  I  saw  at  some  distance  from  the  little  wood  two  men, 
fone  of  whom  was  advancing  towards  the  other,  who  was  retreating 
:across  the  plain.    By  the  white  trousers  I  knew  the  champions  were 
Hollanders,  and  I  paused  a  moment  to  look  at  them.     Soon  the 
;  assailant  retrograded  in  his  turn,  and  then,  mutually  alarmed,  they 
both  retreated,  brandishing  their  sabres  ;  one,  plucking  up  a  little 
•  courage,  made  a  thrust  at  his  adversary,  and  then  pursued  him  to 
the  brink  of  a  ditch  which  he  was  unable  to  leap.    Both  then  throw- 
ing down  their  swords,  a  pugilistic  combat  commenced  between  the 
-heroes,  who  thus  decided  their  quarrel.     I  was  greatly  amused  at 
this  comic  duel,  when  I  saw  near  a  farm  where  we  sometimes  went 
:to  eat  '  codiau  '  (  a  kind  of  white  soup  made  with  flour  and  eggs) 
two  individuals  who,  stripped  to  the  skin,  were  already  prepared, 
s sword  in  hand,  attended  by  their  seconds,  who  were  respectively  a 
^quarter-master  of  the  tenth  regiment  of  dragoons  and  a  forager  of 
;artillery.     The  weapons  soon  crossed,  and  the  smaller  of  the  two 
•combatants,  who  was  an  artillery  sergeant,  skipped  about  in  a  very 
-singular  manner,  and  having  traversed  in  a  strange  way  at  least 
fifty  paces,  I  thought  he  must  be  infallibly  run  through,  when  in 
•an  instant  he  disappeared,  as  if  the  earth  had  opened  and  swallowed 
him  up,  and  a  loud  burst  of  laughter  succeeded     After  the  first 
-shoutings  of  this  noisy  mirth,  the  seconds  approached,  and  I  ob- 
served that  they  stooped  down.    Impelled  by  a  feeling  of  curiosity, 
I  went  towards  the  spot,  and  arrived  just  in  time  to  help  them  in 
pulling  out  from  a  hole  dug  for  the  formation  of  a  large  hog-trough 
"She    poor    devil   whose    sudden    disappearance   had  so   greatly 


THE  DUEL.  215 

astonished  me.  He  was  almost  lifeless,  and  covered  with  mire 
from  head  to  feet  The  air  soon  brought  him  back  to  his  senses, 
but  he  was  afraid  to  breathe ;  he  dared  not  open  his  eyes  or  mouth, 
so  foul  was  the  liquid  in  which  he  had  been  plunged.  In  this 
woeful  plight,  the  first  words  that  saluted  his  ears  were  jokes. 
Feeling  disgusted  at  such  unfeeling  conduct,  I  yielded  to  my  just 
indignation,  and  darted  at  his  antagonist  one  of  those  significant 
glances  which  between  soldier  and  soldier  need  no  interpreter. 
'  Enough,'  said  he,  ' 1  am  ready  for  you  ;'  and  scarcely  was  I  on  my 
guard,  when  on  the  arm  which  held  the  foil,  to  which  I  had  op- 
posed mine,  I  saw  a  tattooing  which  I  thought  was  not  unknown 
to  me.  It  was  the  figure  of  an  anchor,  of  which  the  stem  was  en- 
circled by  the  folds  of  a  serpent  *  I  see  the  tail,'  I  exclaimed, 
4  take  care  of  the  head ;'  and  with  this  word  of  advice  I  thrust  at 
my  man,  and  hit  him  on  the  right  breast.  '  I  am  wounded,'  he  then 
said,  *  that  is  first  blood.' — *  It  is,'  said  I,  *  first  blood  ;'  and  without 
another  word  I  began  to  tear  my  shirt  to  staunch  the  blood  that 
flowed  from  his  wound.  I  necessarily  exposed  his  breast,  where, 
as  I  had  judged,  I  saw  the  head  of  the  serpent,  which  was  de- 
lineated as  if  gnawing  the  extremity  of  his  bosom. 

Observing  how  earnestly  I  alternately  examined  his  features  and 
this  mark,  my  adversary  seemed  to  grow  uneasy :  but  I  hastened 
to  assure  him,  by  these  words  which  I  whispered  in  his  ear :  *  I 
know  you  ;  but  fear  nothing,  I  am  discreet.' — *  I  know  you  too,'  "he 
replied,  squeezing  my  hand,  'and  I  will  be  also  silent'  He  who 
thus  promised  secrecy  was  a  fugitive  galley-slave  from  the  Bagne 
of  Toulon.  He  told  me  his  assumed  name,  and  stated  that  he  was 
principal  quarter-master  of  the  tenth  dragoons,  where  in  expense 
he  surpassed  all  the  officers  of  his  regiment 

Whilst  this  mutual  recognition  was  taking  place,  the  individual 
whose  cause  I  had  espoused  as  the  champion  of  his  wrongs,  was 
endeavouring  to  wash  off  in  a  rivulet  the  thickest  of  the  filth  which 
covered  him,  and  he  soon  returned  to  us  ;  and  all  were  now  quiet 
and  well  behaved,  so  that  there  were  no  longer  any  grounds  of 
difference,  and  the  inclination  for  laughter  was  turned  into  an  un- 
common wish  for  reconciliation. 

The  principal  quarter-master,  whom  I  had  wounded  but  slightly, 
proposed  that  we  should  ratify  articles  of  peace  at  the  Canon  d'Or, 
where  they  had  always  ready  excellent  stewed  eels  and  ready- 
plucked  poultry.  He  there  gave  us  a  princely  breakfast,  which  was 
kept  up  till  supper  came,  for  which  his  adversary  paid. 

On  our  separation,  the  quarter-master  made  me  promise  to  meet 
him  again,  and  the  sergeant  would  not  be  contented  unless  I  ac- 
companied him  home. 


2i6  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

This  sergeant  was  M.  Bertrand,  who  lodged  in  the  upper  town, 
in  the  house  of  a  superior  officer.  As  soon  as  we  were  alone,  he 
testified  his  gratitude  with  all  the  warmth  of  which  he  was  capable ; 
for  after  drinking,  a  coward  who  has  been  rescued  from  peril  may 
evince  some  feeling.  He  made  me  offers  of  any  kind  of  service, 
and  as  I  would  accept  of  none,  he  said,  *  You  think,  perhaps,  that 
I  have  no  influence ;  I  should  be  but  a  paltry  protector,  certainly, 
comrade,  if  I  had  only  the  power  of  a  subaltern  ;  but  that  is  because 
I  do  not  wish  to  be  otherwise.  I  have  no  ambition,  and  all  the 
Olympiens  are  like  me ;  they  despise  the  miserable  distinction 
which  rank  confers.'  I  asked  who  the  Olympiens  were.  'They 
are/  he  replied,  '  men  who  adore  liberty,  and  seek  equality  :  will 
you  be  an  Olympien  ?  For  if  so,  say  the  word,  and  you  shall  be 
admitted  instantly.' 

I  thanked  M.  Bertrand,  adding,  that  I  did  not  see  any  necessity 
to  enrol  myself  in  a  society  to  which  the  attention  of  the  police 
would  be  drawn  sooner  or  later.  *  You  are  right,'  he  replied  ;  and 
then  with  earnestness  added,  *  Do  not  enter,  for  it  will  go  badly 
with  them.'  He  then  gave  me  details  concerning  the  Olympiens; 
and,  as  if  impelled  by  the  feeling  of  confidential  communication 
which  champagne  so  peculiarly  excites,  he  told  me,  under  the  seal 
of  secrecy,  the  object  of  his  mission  to  Boulogne. 

After  this  first  interview,  I  continued  to  see  M.  Bertrand,  who 
remained  for  some  time  in  his  office  of  '  spy,'  until,  the  period 
having  arrived  when  he  was  sufficiently  instructed,  he  asked  and 
procured  a  month's  leave  of  absence,  being  about,  as  he  said,  to 
obtain  a  considerable  estate ;  but  at  the  expiration  of  the  month, 
M.  Bertrand  did  not  return,  and  the  report  spread  that  he  had 
carried  off  the  sum  of  12,000  francs,  which  had  been  confided  to 
his  care  by  Colonel  Aubry,  for  whom  he  was  to  have  brought  back 
an  equipage  and  horses  ;  another  sum,  destined  for  purchases  on 
account  of  the  regiment,  had  also  been  carried  off  by  the  active  M. 
Bertrand.  It  was  known  that  in  Paris  he  had  alighted  at  the  Rue 
Notre  Dame  des  Victoires,  at  the  Hotel  de  Milan,  where  he  had 
pushed  his  credit  to  the  very  utmost  extent. 

All  these  particulars  caused  a  mystification,  of  which  even  the 
sufferers  by  it  dared  not  openly  to  complain.  It  was  only  settled 
that  M.  Bertrand  had  disappeared  :  he  was  tried,  and  condemned, 
as  a  deserter,  to  five  years'  labour.  A  short  time  afterwards,  an 
order  arrived  for  the  arrest  of  the  principal  Olympiens,  and  for 
the  dissolving  of  their  society.  But  this  order  could  be  but  par- 
tially enforced  ;  as  the  leaders,  aware  that  Government  was  about 
to  interfere  with  them,  and  put  them  into  the  dungeons  of  Vin- 
cennes,  or  some  other  State  prison,  preferred  death  to  a  miserable 


FIVE  SUICIDES!  217 

existence,  and  five  suicides  took  place  on  the  same  day.  A  sergeant- 
major  of  the  twenty-fifth  regiment  of  the  line,  and  two  other 
sergeants  of  another  regiment,  blew  out  their  brains.  A  captain, 
who  had  the  previous  evening  received  his  commission  and  a  com- 
pany, cut  his  throat  with  a  razor.  He  lodged  at  the  Lion  d' Argent : 
and  the  innkeeper,  M.  Boutrois,  astonished  that  he  did  not,  as 
usual,  come  down  to  breakfast  with  the  other  officers,  knocked  at 
his  door.  The  captain  was  stooping  over  a  large  basin  which  he 
had  placed  to  receive  the  blood  ;  he  put  on  his  cravat  hastily, 
opened  the  door,  and  fell  dead  in  the  effort  of  speaking.  A  naval 
officer,  who  commanded  a  brig  laden  with  powder,  set  fire  to  it, 
which  communicated  to  another  brig,  which  also  blew  up.  The 
earth  shook  for  several  miles  round,  and  all  the  windows  in  the 
lower  town  were  broken  ;  the  fronts  of  several  houses  on  the  harbour 
were  shaken  down ;  pieces  of  wood,  broken  masts,  and  fragments 
of  carcasses,  were  hurled  to  a  distance  of  eighteen  hundred  toises. 
The  crews  of  the  two  ships  perished.  One  man  only  was  saved,  and 
that  most  miraculously.  He  was  a  common  sailor,  and  at  the  time 
of  the  explosion  in  the  main-top  ;  the  mast  to  which  he  clung  was 
carried  almost  to  the  clouds,  and  then  fell  perpendicularly  into  the 
basin  of  the  harbour,  which  was  dry,  and  planted  itself  to  the  depth 
of  more  than  six  feet  The  sailor  was  found  alive,  but  had  lost 
both  sight  and  hearing,  which  he  never  after  recovered. 

At  Boulogne,  these  coincidences  were  the  theme  of  general  con- 
versation. The  doctors  pretended  that  these  simultaneous  suicides 
were  the  result  of  a  peculiar  affection  emanating  from  the  atmo- 
sphere. They  appealed,  by  way  of  proof,  to  an  observation  made 
at  Vienna,  where,  the  previous  summer,  a  great  many  young  girls, 
impelled  by  a  sort  of  frenzy,  had  thrown  themselves  into  the  river 
on  the  same  day. 

Some  persons  thought  they  could  explain  what  appeared  most 
extraordinary  in  this  circumstance,  by  saying,  that  most  commonly 
one  suicide,  when  very  generally  talked  of,  is  followed  by  two  or 
three  others.  In  fact,  the  public  understood  the  cause  the  less, 
inasmuch  as  the  police,  which  feared  to  allow  anything  to  appear 
that  could  characterise  the  opposition  to  the  imperial  regime,  de- 
signedly circulated  the  wildest  reports  ;  and  precautions  were  so  well 
taken,  that  in  this  instance  the  name  Olympien  was  not  once  pro- 
nounced in  the  camps :  but  the  real  origin  of  these  tragic  events 
was  in  the  denunciations  of  M.  Bertrand.  Doubtless,  he  was  re- 
compensed, although  I  know  not  in  what  manner ;  but  what  appears 
most  probable  is,  that  the  minister  of  police,  satisfied  with  his 
services,  continued  to  employ  him  ;  for,  some  years  afterwards,  he 
was  in  Spain,  in  the  regiment  of  Isembourg,  where,  as  a  lieutenant, 


2i8  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

he  was  no  less  thought  of  than  Montmorenci,  Saint-Simon,  and 
other  offsprings  of  some  of  the  most  illustrious  houses  of  France, 
who  had  been  placed  in  his  corps. 

A  short  time  after  the  disappearance  of  M.  Bertrand,  my  company 
was  sent  to  St.  Leonard,  a  small  village,  at  a  league  from  Boulogne. 
There  our  duties  consisted  in  guarding  a  powder-magazine,  in  which 
was  kept  a  large  quantity  of  war-like  stores  and  ammunition.  The 
service  was  not  arduous,  but  the  fort  was  thought  dangerous,  as 
many  sentinels  had  been  murdered  on  duty;  and  it  was  thought 
that  the  English  had  a  design  of  blowing  up  this  depot.  Some 
such  attempts,  which  had  taken  place  in  various  posts,  left  no  doubt 
on  the  matter  ;  and  we  had  sufficient  reason,  therefore,  for  exercising 
unremitting  vigilance. 

One  night,  when  it  was  my  turn  to  keep  guard,  we  were  sud- 
denly roused  by  the  report  of  a  musket,  and  every  one  was  instantly 
on  foot.  I  hastened,  according  to  custom,  to  relieve  the  guard, 
who  was  a  conscript,  of  whose  courage  there  was  some  doubt :  and, 
on  being  questioned,  I  thought,  from  his  answers,  that  he  had 
been  needlessly  alarmed.  I  then  went  round  the  magazine,  which 
was  an  old  church  ;  I  had  all  parts  and  places  examined,  but 
nothing  was  observable — no  trace  of  any  person.  Persuaded,  then, 
that  it  was  a  false  alarm,  I  reprimanded  the  conscript  and  threatened 
him  with  the  black-hole.  However,  on  the  return  of  the  relief- 
piquet,  I  interrogated  him  afresh ;  and,  from  the  assured  tone  with 
which  he  asserted  that  he  had  seen  some  one,  and  by  the  details 
he  gave,  I  began  to  think  that  his  terror  was  not  so  causeless  as  I 
had  imagined,  and  I  consequently  went  out,  and  going  a  second 
time  towards  the  magazine,  of  which  I  found  the  door  ajar,  I 
pushed  it  open,  and  on  entering,  my  eyes  were  struck  with  the  faint 
glimmering  of  a  light  which  projected  from  between  two  rows  of 
boxes  filled  with  cartridges.  I  dashed  along  the  passage,  and  on 
reaching  the  extremity,  I  saw  a  lighted  lamp  beneath  the  lowest 
cask,  the  flames  of  which  already  had  smoked  the  wood,  and  a 
smell  of  turpentine  pervaded  the  place.  There  was  not  a  moment 
to  lose,  and  without  hesitation  I  overturned  the  lamp,  and  stamped 
out  all  the  other  appearances  of  sparks,  etc.  The  profound  dark- 
ness that  ensued,  guaranteed  to  me  the  certainty  that  I  had  pre- 
vented the  explosion,  but  I  was  not  at  ease  until  the  smell  was 
entirely  dissipated,  and  then  I  went  away.  Who  was  the  incen- 
diary? This  I  knew  not;  but  there  arose  in  my  mind  strong 
suspicions  of  the  magazine-keeper,  and  to  arrive  at  the  truth  I 
went  forthwith  to  his  residence.  His  wife  was  then  alone,  and 
told  me  that,  kept  at  Boulogne  on  business,  he  would  sleep 
there,  and  would  return  on  the  next  morning.  I  asked  for  the  keys 


PROMOTION.  219 

of  the  magazine,  but  he  had  taken  them  with  him  ;  and  this  re- 
moval of  the  keys  confirmed  me  in  the  opinion  that  he  was  guilty  : 
but,  before  I  made  any  report,  I  again  visited  his  house  at  ten 
o'clock  to  convince  myself,  and  he  had  not  then  returned. 

An  inventory,  which  was  made  the  same  day,  proved  that  the 
keeper  must  have  the  greatest  interest  in  destroying  the  depot 
intrusted  to  his  care,  as  the  only  mode  by  which  he  could  con- 
ceal the  extensive  robberies  he  had  committed.  Six  week  elapsed 
before  we  learnt  what  had  become  of  him ;  and  then  some  reapers 
found  his  dead  body  in  a  wheat-field,  with  a  pistol  lying  beside 
him. 

As  it  had  been  my  presence  of  mind  which  had  prevented  the 
blowing  up  of  the  powder-magazine,  I  was  promoted  to  the  rank 
of  sergeant ;  and  the  general,  who  desired  to  see  me,  promised  to 
recommend  me  to  the  consideration  of  the  ministry.  As  I  thought 
I  was  now  in  a  fair  way  to  do  well,  I  was  very  careful  to  lose,  as 
Lebel,  all  the  bad  qualities  of  Vidocq ;  and,  if  the  necessary  duty 
of  attending  to  the  distribution  of  rations  had  not  led  me  to 
Boulogne  occasionally,  I  should  have  been  a  most  exemplary 
fellow ;  but  every  time  I  went  to  the  city,  I  had  to  visit  the 
quarter-master-in-chief  of  dragoons,  against  whom  I  had  espoused 
the  cause  of  M.  Bertrand  :  not  that  he  exacted  this  from  me,  but 
I  thought  it  needful  to  be  on  good  terms  with  him.  Then, 
however,  the  whole  day  was  consecrated  to  Bacchus ;  and  in  spite 
of  myself,  I  lapsed  from  my  good  intentions  of  reform. 

By  the  help  of  a  supposititious  uncle,  a  man  of  wealth  and 
influence,  whose  property,  he  said,  was  secured  to  him,  my  old 
colleague  of  the  Bagne  led  a  very  agreeable  life ;  and  the  credit 
he  obtained,  from  the  reputation  of  being  a  person  of  family,  was 
unlimited.  There  was  not  a  Boulognese  citizen  of  wealth  but 
cultivated  the  acquaintance  of  a  personage  of  such  distinction 
most  sedulously.  The  most  ambitious  papas  desired  nothing 
more  ardently  than  to  have  him  for  a  son-in-law;  and  amongst 
the  young  ladies,  it  was  the  general  wish  to  catch  him  :  thus 
he  had  facilities  of  dipping  into  the  purses  of  the  one,  and 
obtaining  the  good  graces  of  the  other.  He  had  an  equipment 
like  a  colonel  —dogs,  horses,  and  servants,  and  affected  the  tone 
and  manners  of  a  nobleman.  He  possessed  in  a  supreme  degree 
the  art  of  throwing  powder  in  people's  eyes  and  making  himself 
appear  a  man  of  consequence;  so  much  so,  that  to  the  officers  them- 
selves, who  are  generally  so  extremely  jealous  of  the  prerogatives 
belonging  to  an  epaulet,  thought  it  very  natural  he  should  eclipse 
them.  In  any  place  but  Boulogne,  the  adventurer  would  have 
been  soon  detected  as  a  swindler,  as  he  had  not  received  any 


220  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

education ;  but  in  a  city  where  the  citizens  of  a  recent  establish- 
ment were  as  yet  genteel  in  costume  only,  it  was  an  easy  matter 
to  carry  on  such  an  imposition. 

Fessard  was  the  real  name  of  this  quarter-master,  who  was  only 
known  at  the  Bagne  as  Hippolyte.  He  was,  I  believe,  from  Low 
Normandy ;  and,  with  an  exterior  of  much  frankness,  an  open 
countenance,  and  the  haughty  air  of  a  young  rake,  he  combined 
that  sly  character  which  slander  has  attributed  to  the  inhabitants 
of  Dom front :  in  a  word,  he  was  a  shrewd  man  of  the  world,  and 
gifted  with  all  that  was  necessary  to  inspire  confidence.  A  rood 
of  land  in  his  own  country  would  have  been  to  him  sufficient  to 
have  produced  a  thousand  actions  at  law,  and  quite  a  sufficient 
possession  to  have  enabled  him  to  make  his  fortune  by  ruining  his 
neighbour ;  but  Hippolyte  really  had  nothing  in  the  world,  and, 
unable  to  turn  pleader,  he  became  a  swindler,  then  a  forger,  then 
we  shall  learn  what,  and  must  not  anticipate. 

Every  time  I  visited  the  town,  Hippolyte  paid  for  dinner ;  and 
one  day,  between  dessert  and  cheese,  he  said  to  me,  '  Do  you 
know,  I  am  astonished  at  you — to  live  in  the  country  like  an 
anchorite ;  to  be  content  with  a  daily  pittance;  to  have  just  twenty- 
two  sous  per  diem.  I  cannot  conceive  how  a  person  can  endure 
such  a  lot ;  as  for  me,  I  would  rather  die  at  once.  But  you  have 
your  pickings  somewhere,  slily  ;  you  are  not  the  lad  to  live  without 
some  such  additions.'  I  told  him  that  my  pay  sufficed  for  me; 
and  besides,  I  was  fed,  clothed,  and  in  want  of  nothing.  'All  very 
fine,'  he  replied,  '  but  yet  we  have  some  priggers  here :  you  have  no 
doubt  heard  of  the  "minions  of  the  moon" — you  must  be  one;  and, 
if  you  like,  I  will  quarter  you — take  the  environs  of  St.  Leonard.' 

I  was  told  that  the  army '  de  la  Lune '  was  a  band  of  male- 
factors, the  leaders  of  whom  were,  up  to  this  period,  concealed 
from  the  scrutiny  of  the  police.  These  brigands,  who  had  or- 
ganized a  system  of  murder  and  robbery  for  a  circuit  of  more  than 
ten  leagues,  all  belonged  to  various  regiments.  At  night  they 
ranged  about  the  camps,  or  concealed  themselves  on  the  roads, 
making  pretended  rounds  and  patrols,  stopping  any  person  who 
presented  the  least  hope  of  booty.  That  they  might  not  be 
impeded  they  provided  themselves  with  uniforms  of  every  de- 
nomination. At  a  time  of  need  they  were  captains,  colonels, 
generals,  and  used  all  the  proper  words  of  regimental  order  and 
discipline — pass-words,  countersigns,  etc.  ;  with  which  some  trusty 
friends  took  care  to  inform  them,  from  time  to  time,  as  they  were 
altered. 

From  what  I  knew,  the  proposal  of  Hippolyte  was  well  calcu- 
•aied  to  alarm  me ;  for  either  he  was  one  of  the  leaders  of  this 


BETRAYED.  221 

army  de  la  Lune,  or  he  was  one  of  the  secret  agents  employed  by 
the  police  to  effect  the  breaking  up  of  this  army  :  perhaps  he  was 
both.  My  situation  with  him  was  most  embarrassing,  and  the 
thread  of  my  destiny  was  again  entangled ;  nor  could  I,  as  at 
Lyons,  extricate  myself  from  this  business  by  denouncing  him  : 
and  then,  what  would  it  have  availed  me  to  have  denounced  him, 
had  he  been  an  agent  ? — This  idea  made  me  cautious  of  the  mode 
in  which  I  should  reject  his  proposition,  which  I  did  by  saying, 
with  firmness,  that  I  was  resolved  to  become  an  honest  man. 
'Didn't  you  see,'  said  he,  'that  I  was  only  joking?  and  you  take 
up  the  matter  seriously  ;  I  only  wanted  to  try  you.  I  am  charmed, 
my  comrade,  to  find  in  you  such  a  determination.  I  have  formed 
a  similar  one,'  he  added,  *  and  am  on  the  highway  to  it ;  and  the 
devil  shall  not  again  turn  me  from  it.'  Then,  turning  the  conver- 
sation, we  left  all  further  mention  of  the  army  de  la  Lune. 

Eight  days  after  this  interview,  during  which  Hippolyte  had 
made  me  this  proposal,  so  promptly  retracted,  my  captain,  on  going 
through  the  inspection,  condemned  me  to  four-and-twenty  hours' 
confinement,  for  a  spot  which,  he  said,  was  on  my  uniform.  This 
cursed  spot,  although  I  opened  my  eyes  as  widely  as  possible,  I 
was  unable  to  perceive ;  but  be  it  as  it  may,  I  went  to  the  guard- 
house without  a  murmur.  Four-and-twenty  hours  soon  pass  away! 
The  next  morning  would  terminate  my  sentence :  when,  at  five 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  I  heard  the  trot  of  horses,  and  soon  after- 
wards I  heard  the  following  dialogue:  'Who  goes  there?' — 
'  France.'  *  What  regiment  ?' — *  The  imperial  corps  of  gendar- 
merie.' At  the  word  of  gendarmerie,  I  felt  an  involuntary 
shudder,  and  suddenly  my  door  opened  and  some  one  called 
'  Vidocq.'  Never  did  this  name,  falling  suddenly  on  the  ears  of  a 
troop  of  villains,  disconcert  them  more  effectually  than  it  did 
myself  at  this  moment.  'Come,  follow  us,'  cried  out  the  officer; 
and,  to  prevent  any  possibility  of  escape,  he  fastened  a  rope  round 
me.  I  was  instantly  conducted  to  prison,  where  I  had  a  tolerable 
bed,  on  paying  for  it.  I  found  a  numerous  and  goodly  assemblage. 
'Did  I  not  say  so?'  cried  a  soldier  of  artillery,  whom,  by  his  accent, 
r"knew  to  be  a  Piedmontese.  '  We  shall  have  all  the  camp.  Here 
is  another.  I  will  bet  my  head  that  he  owes  his  imprisonment  to 
that  thief  of  a  quartermaster.  Will  no  one  cut  that  villain's 
throat  ?'  '  Go,  look  for  him,  then,  your  quartermaster,'  interrupted 
a  second  prisoner,  who  also  seemed  to  be  a  new-comer.  *  What- 
ever he  may  have  done,  he  is  now  at  a  distance ;  he  has  made 
himself  scarce,  a  week  since.  But,  my  lads,  you  must  own  that 
he  is  a  crafty  chap.  In  less  than  three  months,  forty  thousand 
francs  in  debt  in  the  city.  What  a  lucky  dog  !  And  then,  how 


222  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

many  little  boys  and  girls  has  he  left  behind?  I  should  be  sorry 
to  father  all  his  flock.  Six  young  ladies,  daughters  of  our  leading 
burgesses,  are  in  a  fair  way  of  becoming  mammas !  Each 
thought  she  had  him  to  herself ;  but  he  seems  to  have  cut  his 
heart  into  small  pieces,  and  shared  it  amongst  them  !' — '  Oh,  yes  !' 
said  a  turnkey,  who  was  preparing  my  bed,  '  he  has  spent  like  a 
prodigal,  and  now  must  mind  what  he  is  about;  for,  if  they  catch 
him,  handcuffs  are  the  word.  He  is  marked  as  a  deserter.  He 
will  be  caught,  I  think.' — 'Do  not  make  too  sure/  I  replied; 
'they  will  catch  him  as  they  caught  M.  Bertrand.' — 'Well,  suppose 
he  should  be  taken,'  resumed  the  Piedmontese,  'would  that 
prevent  my  being  guillotined  at  Turin  ?  Besides,  I  repeat  it,  I 

will  bet  my  head .' — 'What  does  the  fool  say  about  his  head?' 

cried  a  fourth.  *  We  are  here  in  prison,  and  as  it  was  to  be,  what 
consequence  through  whose  means  ?'  This  reasoner  was  right. 
It  would  have  been  useless  to  lose  one's  self  in  a  field  of  conjectures, 
and  we  must  all  have  been  blind  not  to  have  recognised  Hippolyte 
as  the  author  of  our  arrest.  As  for  me,  I  could  not  be  deceived, 
for  he  was  the  only  person  in  Boulogne  who  knew  that  I  had 
escaped  from  the  Bagne. 

Many  soldiers  of  different  ranks  came  against  their  will  to  fill  up 
a  chamber  in  which  were  assembled  the  principal  leaders  of  the 
army  de  la  Lune.  Very  seldom  in  the  prison  of  so  small  a  town 
was  there  seen  a  more  singular  assemblage  of  delinquents ;  the 
'  prevot,'  that  is,  the  elder  of  our  room,  named  Lelievre,  was  a  poor 
devil  of  a  soldier,  who,  condemned  to  death  three  years  before,  had 
perpetually  before  him  the  chance  of  the  termination  of  the  respite 
by  virtue  of  which  he  still  existed.  The  Emperor,  to  whose  mercy 
he  had  been  recommended,  had  pardoned  him;  but  as  the  pardon 
had  not  been  registered,  and  as  the  indispensable  official  papers 
had  not  been  transmitted  to  the  chief  judge,  Lelievre  continued  a 
prisoner  ;  and  all  that  could  be  done  in  favour  of  this  unfortunate 
being,  was  to  suspend  the  execution  until  the  moment  when  an 
opportunity  should  present  itself  of  again  calling  the  Emperor's 
attention  to  his  case.  In  this  state,  in  which  his  life  was  un- 
certain, Lelievre  deliberated  between  the  hope  of  freedom  and  the 
fear  of  death ;  he  laid  down  to  sleep  with  the  one,  and  awoke  with 
the  other.  Every  evening  he  thought  himself  sure  of  his  liberty, 
and  every  morning  he  expected  to  be  shot ;  sometimes  gay  even 
to  folly,  sometimes  dull  and  spiritless,  he  never  enjoyed  a  moment 
of  equable  calm.  If  he  played  a  game  of  draughts  or  matrimony, 
he  paused  in  the  midst  of  it,  threw  bown  the  cards,  and  striking 
his  forehead  with  his  clenched  hands,  jumped  from  his  seat,  and 
raving  like  a  madman,  he  ended  by  flinging  himself  on  his  bed, 


CHRISTIERN.  223 

where,  lying  on  his  face,  he  remained  for  hours  in  a  state  of 
mental  depression.  The  hospital  was  Lelievre's  house  of  pleasure; 
and  if  he  got  wearied,  he  went  there  for  consolation  from  Sister 
Alexandrine,  who  had  a  most  tender  heart,  and  sympathized  with 
all  the  wretched.  This  compassionate  sister  was  deeply  interested 
in  the  prisoner,  and  Lelievre  deserved  it,  for  he  was  not  a  criminal 
but  a  victim  ;  and  the  sentence  against  him  was  the  unjust  result 
of  a  feeling  but  too  common  in  councils  of  war,  that  the  innocent 
should  even  suffer  if  there  are  disorders  to  repress.  The  con- 
science and  humanity  of  judges  ought  to  be  silent  when  necessity 
calls  for  exemplary  punishment  Lelievre  was  one  of  the  few  of 
those  men  who,  steeled  against  vice,  can  without  danger  to  their 
morality  remain  in  contact  with  the  most  contaminated.  He 
acquitted  himself  in  his  duties  of  steward  (pre'vot)  with  as  much 
equity  as  if  he  had  been  endued  with  all  the  powers  of  a  licensed 
magistrate ;  he  never  let  off  a  new-comer,  but  explained  to  him  his 
duties  as  a  prisoner,  endeavouring  to  render  as  easy  as  possible  the 
first  days  of  his  captivity  ;  and  rather  might  be  said  to  do  the 
honours  of  the  prison  than  to  enforce  his  authority. 

Another  character  also  attracted  the  regard  and  affection  of  the 
prisoners,  Christiern,  whom  we  called  the  Dane.  He  did  not 
speak  French,  and  only  understood  by  signs ;  but  his  intelligence 
seemed  to  penetrate  our  very  thoughts ;  he  was  melancholy, 
thoughtful,  and  gentle ;  in  his  features  there  was  a  mixture  of 
nobleness,  candour,  and  sadness,  which  insinuated  and  touched  at 
the  same  time.  He  wore  a  sailor's  dress ;  but  the  flowing 
curls  of  his  long  black  hair,  his  snowy-white  linen,  the  delicacy  of 
his  complexion  and  manners,  the  beauty  of  his  hand,  all  announced 
a  man  of  exalted  condition.  Although  a  smile  was  often  on  his 
lips,  yet  Christiern  appeared  a  prey  to  the  deepest  sorrow ;  but  he 
kept  his  grief  to  himself,  and  no  one  knew  even  the  cause  of  his 
detention.  One  day  he  was  summoned  whilst  he  was  engaged  in 
tracing  on  the  glass  with  a  flint  the  drawing  of  a  fleet,  which  was 
his  sole  amusement,  except  occasionally  sketching  the  portrait  of  a 
female,  whose  resemblance  he  seemed  delighted  to  be  perpetually 
depicting.  We  saw  him  go  out ;  and  soon  afterwards  being 
brought  back,  scarcely  was  the  door  closed  upon  him,  than,  taking 
from  a  leathern  bag  a  prayer-book,  he  was  soon  engrossed  in  its 
perusal.  At  night  he  slept  as  usual  until  daybreak,  when  the 
sound  of  a  drum  warned  us  that  a  detachment  was  entering  the 
prison  yard,  and  he  then  dressed  himself  hastily,  gave  his  watch 
and  money  to  Lelievre,  who  was  his  bedfellow ;  and  having  fre- 
quently kissed  a  small  crucifix  which  he  always  wore  round  his 
neck,  he  shook  hands  with  all  of  us.  The  gaoler,  who  was  present. 


^24  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

was  very  deeply  affected ;  and  when  Christiern  left  us,  said,  '  They 
are  going  to  shoot  him  ;  all  the  troops  are  assembled,  and  in  less 
than  a  quarter  of  an  hour  all  his  misfortunes  will  terminate.  This 
sailor  whom  you  all  took  for  a  Dane,  is  a  native  of  Dunkirk ;  his 
real  name  is  Vandermot ;  he  served  in  the  corvette  Hirondelle,  and 
was  taken  prisoner  by  the  English,  and  placed  in  the  hold  of  a 
prison-ship  with  many  others ;  when,  exhausted  with  breathing  in- 
fectious air,  and  almost  starving,  he  consented  to  a  proposal  of 
being  removed  from  his  living  tomb,  on  condition  that  he  would 
embark  in  a  vessel  belonging  to  the  East  India  Company.  On 
the  return  of  the  ship  it  was  captured  by  a  privateer,  and  Van- 
dermot was  brought  here  with  the  rest  of  the  crew.  He  was  to 
have  been  sent  to  Valenciennes,  but  at  the  moment  of  departure, 
an  interpreter  interrogated  him,  and  it  was  found  by  his  answers 
that  he  was  not  conversant  with  the  English  language  ;  this  gave 
rise  to  suspicions,  and  he  declared  that  he  was  a  subject  of  the 
King  of  Denmark  ;  but  as  he  had  no  proof  of  this  assertion,  it  was 
decided  that  he  should  remain  here  until  the  whole  affair  should 
be  cleared  up.  Some  months  elapsed,  and  Vandermot  seemed  to 
have  been  forgotten,  when  one  day  a  woman  and  two  children 
came  to  the  gaol,  and  asked  for  Christiern.  "  My  husband  !"  she 
cried,  seeing  him.  "  My  wife  !  my  children  !"  he  exclaimed,  em- 
bracing them  with  ardour.  "  How  imprudent  you  are  !"  said  I,  in 
a  whisper,  to  Christiern  ;  "  It  is  well  that  only  I  am  with  you  !"  I 
promised  to  be  secret,  but  it  was  useless.  In  the  joy  of  having 
news  from  him,  his  wife,  to  whom  he  had  written,  and  who  thought 
him  dead,  had  shown  his  letters  to  her  neighbours,  and  some  of 
the  most  officious  amongst  them  had  already  denounced  him — the 
wretches  !  it  is  their  deed  which  this  day  destroys  him.  For  some 
old  howitzers  which  the  ship  mounted,  they  have  treated  him  as 
one  taken  in  arms  against  his  country.  Are  not  such  laws  un- 
just ?' 

*  Yes,  yes,  the  laws  are  unjust,'  said  a  number  of  fellows  who 
were  sitting  round  a  bed,  playing  at  cards  and  drinking  spirits. 
'  Come,  push  round  the  glass/  said  one,  handing  it  to  his  neigh- 
bour. '  Holla  !'  said  a  second,  who  remarked  the  air  of  conster- 
nation expressed  in  Lelievre's  features,  and  shook  his  arm  ;  '  do 
not  put  yourself  in  a  fright  about  it !  His  turn  to-day,  ours  to- 
morrow.' 

This  conversation,  horribly  prolonged,  degenerated  into  unfeel- 
ing jokes,  until  the  sound  of  a  drum  and  fifes,  which  the  echo  of 
the  river  repeated  in  various  quarters,  indicated  that  the  detach- 
ments of  various  corps  were  marching  back  to  the  camp.  A 
death-like  silence  pervaded  the  prison  for  several  minutes,  and  we 


THE  PRISONERS.  225 

thought  that  Christiern  had  already  undergone  his  sentence,  but 
at  the  instant  when  his  eyes  were  covered  with  the  fatal  bandage, 
and  on  his  knees  he  awaited  the  execution  of  his  sentence,  an  aide- 
de-camp  had  stopped  the  fire  of  the  musketry.  The  prisoner  again 
saw  the  light  of  heaven,  and  was  to  be  restored  to  his  wife  and 
children,  whose  prayers  and  supplications  to  Marshal  Brune  had 
been  the  means  of  saving  his  life.  Christiern,  led  back  to  confine- 
ment, was  still  full  of  joy,  as  he  had  been  assured  of  his  speedy 
freedom.  The  emperor  had  been  petitioned  for  his  pardon,  and  the 
request,  made  in  the  name  of  the  marshal  himself,  was  so  generously 
urged,  that  it  was  impossible  to  doubt  of  success. 

The  return  of  Christiern  was  an  event  on  which  we  did  not  fail 
to  congratulate  him  :  we  drank  to  the  health  of  the  returned 
prisoner ;  and  the  arrival  of  six  new  prisoners,  who  paid  their 
entrance  fees  with  much  liberality,  was  an  additional  incentive  to 
rejoicing.  These  men,  whom  I  had  known  as  a  part  of  Paulet's 
crew,  were  sentenced  to  a  few  days'  confinement,  as  a  punishment 
for  having,  in  boarding  a  prize,  in  defiance  of  the  articles  of  war, 
plundered  the  English  captain.  As  they  had  not  been  compelled 
to  refund,  they  brought  their  guineas  with  them,  and  spent  them 
freely.  We  were  all  satisfied  :  the  gaoler,  who  collected  even  to  the 
very  smallest  portions  of  this  golden  shower,  was  so  pleased  with 
his  new  guests,  that  he  relaxed  his  vigilance,  although  there  were 
in  one  room  three  prisoners  under  sentence  of  death— Lelievre, 
Christiern,  and  the  Piedmontese  Orsino,  a  chief  of  Barbets,  who, 
having  encountered  near  Alexandria  a  detachment  of  conscripts 
marching  towards  France,  had  got  into  their  ranks,  where  he  had 
supplied  the  place  and  name  of  a  deserter.  Orsino,  whilst  serving 
under  this  flag,  had  conducted  himself  irreproachably,  but  had 
marred  all  by  an  indiscretion.  A  price  was  set  upon  his  head  in 
his  own  country,  and  the  sentence  was  to  be  put  into  execution  at 
Turin.  Five  other  prisoners  were  under  the  weight  of  charges  of 
the  gravest  nature.  Four  were  marines ;  two  of  them  Corsicans 
and  two  Proven9als,  charged  with  the  assassination  of  a  woman, 
from  whom  they  had  stolen  a  golden  cross  and  silver  buckles  ;  the 
fifth  had  been,  as  well  as  they,  of  the  army  de  la  Lune,  and  to  him 
were  attributed  very  peculiar  powers  :  the  soldiers  asserted  that  he 
could  render  himself  invisible,  and  metamorphose  himself  as  he 
pleased ;  he  had,  besides,  the  gift  of  ubiquity ;  in  fact,  he  was  a 
sorcerer  ;  and  that  because  he  was  hump-backed,  facetious,  severe, 
a  great  tale  teller,  and,  having  been  a  sharper  all  his  days,  was 
clever  in  many  tricks  of  legerdemain.  With  such  company,  most 
gaolers  would  have  used  the  greatest  precaution,  but  ours  con- 
sidered us  as  only  skilful  practitioners,  and  constantly  associated  with 

'S 


226  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

us.  Besides,  for  ready  cash  he  provided  for  all  our  wants,  and  had  no 
idea  that  we  could  have  any  wish  to  leave  him  ;  and  he  was  correct 
to  a  certain  point ;  for  Lelievre  and  Christiern  had  not  the  least 
wish  to  escape  ;  Orsino  was  resigned :  the  marines  did  not  antici- 
pate a  very  severe  sentence  ;  the  sorcerer  relied  on  the  insufficiency 
of  evidence  :  and  the  privateers,  always  drinking,  felt  no  sort  of 
melancholy.  I  alone  nourished  the  idea  of  getting  away  ;  but  that 
I  might  not  be  suspected,  I  affected  to  be  undisturbed  ;  and  so  well 
did  I  conceal  my  intent,  that  it  seemed  as  if  the  prison  were  my 
natural  element,  and  all  thought  that  I  was  as  comfortable  there  as 
a  fish  in  water.  I  did  not  drink  but  on  one  occasion,  that  of 
Christiern's  return  amongst  us.  That  night  we  were  all  somewhat 
in  liquor,  and  about  two  in  the  morning  I  felt  a  burning  thirst 
which  seemed  to  inflame  my  whole  body  :  and  on  getting  out  of 
bed  half  awake,  I  groped  about  for  the  pitcher,  and  on  drinking  I 
found  a  most  horrible  mistake  ;  I  had  taken  one  vessel  for  another, 
and  was  almost  poisoned.  By  daybreak  I  had  scarcely  repressed 
the  violent  commotions  of  my  stomach,  when  one  of  the  turnkeys 
came  to  tell  us  that  there  was  some  work  to  be  done  :  as  this  afforded 
an  opportunity  for  getting  a  little  air,  which  I  thought  would  revive 
me,  I  offered  myself  as  a  substitute  for  a  privateer,  whose  clothes  I 
put  on  ;  and  crossing  the  court-yard,  I  saw  a  subaltern  officer  of  my 
acquaintance,  who  came  in  with  his  cloak  on  his  arm.  He  told 
me  that  he  was  sentenced  to  a  month's  imprisonment  for  having 
created  an  uproar  in  the  theatre,  and  had  just  been  entered  on  the 
prison  book.  '  In  that  case,'  said  I,  *  you  can  begin  your  work  at 
once  ;  here  is  the  trough.'  The  subaltern  was  accommodating,  and 
did  not  require  a  second  hint ;  and  whilst  he  very  readily  went  to 
work,  I  passed  boldly  by  the  sentinel,  who,  fortunately  for  me,  took 
no  notice  of  me. 

Leaving  the  prison,  I  made  my  way  into  the  country,  and  did 
not  stop  till  I  reached  the  bridge  of  Brique,  where  I  paused  in  a  small 
ravine,  whilst  I  reflected  on  the  best  mode  of  escaping  pursuit ; 
and  at  first  resolved  on  going  to  Calais,  but  my  unlucky  stars  sug- 
gested my  return  to  Arras.  In  the  evening  I  went  to  sleep  in  a 
barn,  in  which  travellers  rested.  One  of  them,  who  had  left 
Boulogne  three  hours  after  me,  told  me  that  the  whole  city  was 
plunged  in  grief  at  the  execution  of  Christiern.  *  It  is  the  only 
thing  they  can  talk  about,'  said  he.  '  It  was  expected  that  the 
emperor  would  pardon  him,  but  the  telegraph  signalled  that  he  was 
to  be  shot.  He  had  once  narrowly  escaped,  but  to-day  he  has  suffered. 
It  was  piteous  to  hear  him  cry  "  Pardon,  pardon,"  whilst  endeavour- 
ing to  raise  himself  after  the  first  fire,  amidst  the  howlings  of  some 
dogs  behind  him,  whom  the  shots  had  struck  !  It  went  to  the  very 
heart,  but  yet  they  finished  their  work.  It  was  his  destinv  !' 


FORWARDED  TO  DOUAl  ONCE  MORE.  227 

Although  this  information  caused  me  great  affliction,  I  could 
not  help  thinking  that  Christiern's  death  would  effect  a  diversion 
in  favour  of  my  escape  ;  and  as  he  told  me  nothing  which  seemed 
as  if  I  had  been  missed  on  the  general  muster-call,  I  thought 
myself  in  security.  I  reached  Bethune  without  mishap,  and  went 
to  lodge  with  an  old  regimental  acquaintance,  who  received  me 
kindly.  But,  however  prudent  one  may  be,  there  are  always  some 
unexpected  occurrences  ;  I  had  preferred  the  hospitality  ot"  a  friend 
to  a  lodging  at  an  auberge,  and  I  had  thereby  placed  myself  in  the 
jaws  of  danger  ;  for  my  friend  was  recently  married,  and  his  wife's 
brother  was  one  of  those  obstinate  brutes,  whose  hearts,  insensible 
to  glory,  only  desire  inglorious  peace.  As  a  natural  consequence, 
the  abode  I  had  chosen,  as  well  as  those  of  all  the  young  fellow's 
relations,  were  frequently  visited  by  the  gendarmes  ;  and  these 
very  agreeable  gentlemen  invaded  the  residence  of  my  friend  long 
before  daybreak,  and,  without  any  respect  to  my  slumbers,  de- 
manded to  see  my  papers.  For  want  of  a  passport  I  endeavoured 
to  enter  into  certain  explanations  with  them,  which  was  but  lost 
labour.  The  brigadier,  after  viewing  me  attentively,  cried  out,  '  I 
am  not  mistaken,  'tis  he  ;  I  have  seen  him  at  Arras ;  'tis  Vidocq  !' 
I  was  compelled  to  confess,  and  in  less  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour 
found  myself  in  the  prison  of  Bethune. 

Perhaps,  before  I  proceed,  my  readers  will  not  be  sorry  to  learn 
the  fate  of  my  companions  in  captivity,  whom  I  had  left  at 
Boulogne  ;  and  I  can  satisfy  their  curiosity  with  respect  to  some  of 
them.  We  have  learnt  that  Christiern  was  shot,  brave,  good  fellow 
as  he  was  !  Lelievre,  who  was  equally  worthy,  lingered  on  between 
hope  and  fear  till  the  year  1811,  when  the  typhus  fever  terminated 
his  existence.  The  four  sailors,  the  murderers,  were  one  night 
liberated,  and  sent  to  Prussia,  where  two  of  them  received  the 
cross  of  honour  under  the  walls  of  Dantzic  ;  and  the  sorcerer  was 
released  without  any  sentence  having  been  passed.  In  1814  he 
called  himself  Collinet,  and  was  the  quarter-master  of  a  West- 
phalian  regiment,  of  which  he  hoped  to  get  the  chest  for  his  own 
particular  profit.  This  adventurer,  not  knowing  how  to  dispose  of 
his  booty,  went  on  the  wings  of  haste  to  Burgundy,  where,  in  the 
neighbourhood,  he  fell  in  with  a  troop  of  Cossacks,  who  compelled 
him  to  surrender  and  give  an  account  of  himself.  This  was  the 
last  day  of  his  life,  for  they  ran  him  through  with  their  lances. 

My  stay  at  Bethune  was  brief ;  for  the  day  after  my  capture  I 
was  forwarded  to  Douai,  whither  I  was  conducted  under  good 
escort. 


MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ, 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Sent  to  Douai — My  wife  re-marries— I  travel  as  an  officer  ;  and  go  to  Paris — 
The  commissary  of  Melun— Execution  of  Herbaux — A  robber  denounces 
me — Galley-slaves  at  Auxerre — Two  fugitives  from  the  Bagne— My  wife 
again — Receiving  stolen  goods. 

I  HAD  scarcely  set  foot  in  prison,  when  the  attorney-general, 
Rauson,  whom  my  repeated  escapes  had  irritated  against  me, 
appeared  at  the  grating,  and  said — *  What,  Vidocq  has  arrived  ! 
Have  they  put  him  in  fetters  ?' — *  What  have  I  done,  sir,'  said  I, 
1  that  you  wish  to  be  so  severe  with  me  ?  Is  it  a  great  crime 
because  I  have  so  frequently  escaped?  Have  I  abused  the  liberty 
which  I  hold  so  precious?  When  I  have  been  retaken,  have  I 
not  been  found  exerting  myself  to  procure  honourable  modes  of 
livelihood  ?  I  am  less  guilty  than  unfortunate  !  Have  pity  on 
me — pity  my  poor  mother ;  if  I  am  condemned  to  return  to  the 
Bagne  she  will  die !' 

These  words,  pronounced  with  accents  of  sincerity,  made  some 
impression  on  M.  Rauson,  who  returned  in  the  evening,  and 
questioned  me  at  length  of  the  mode  of  my  life  since  I  had  left 
Toulon ;  and  as  in  proof  of  what  I  told  him  I  offered  indubitable 
testimony,  he  began  to  evince  some  kindness  towards  me.  '  Why 
do  you  riot  draw  up,'  said  he,  4  an  application  for  pardon,  or  at 
least  for  a  commutation  of  the  sentence  ?  I  will  recommend  you 
to  the  chief  justice.'  I  thanked  the  magistrate  for  his  proffered 
kindness  to  me,  and  the  same  day  a  barrister  of  Douai,  M.  Thomas, 
who  took  a  real  interest  in  me,  brought  for  my  signature  a  petition, 
which  he  had  been  so  kind  as  to  draw  up  for  me. 

I  was  in  expectation  of  the  answer,  when  one  morning  I  was 
sent  for  to  the  police-office.  Imagining  that  it  was  the  decision 
of  the  minister  which  was  to  be  communicated  to  me,  and  im- 
patient to  know  it,  I  followed  the  turnkey  with  the  haste  of  a  man 
who  anticipates  agreeable  intelligence.  I  relied  on  seeing  the 
attorney-general,  but  my  wife  appeared,  accompanied  by  two 
strangers.  I  endeavoured  to  guess  the  purport  of  her  visit,  when, 
with  the  most  unembarrassed  tone  in  the  world,  Madame  Vidocq 
said  to  me,  '  I  have  come  to  tell  you  that  the  sentence  of  our 
divorce  has  been  pronounced.  I  am  going  to  be  married  again, 
and,  therefore,  I  have  judged  it  best  to  go  through  this  formality. 
The  clerk  will  give  you  a  copy  of  the  judgment  for  perusal.' 

Except  obtaining  my  freedom,  nothing  could  be  more  agreeable 
to  me  than  the  dissolution  of  this  marriage,  as  I  was  for  ever  em- 
Uirra&sed  with  a  creature  whom  I  loathed,  I  do  not  know  if  I 


AGAIN  FREE.  229 

had  sufficient  command  of  myself  to  restrain  my  joy,  but  cer- 
tainly my  countenance  must  have  betokened  it;  and  if,  as  I 
have  cogent  reasons  to  believe,  my  successor  was  present,  he  retired 
with  a  conviction  that  I  did  not  at  all  envy  him  the  treasure  he 
was  about  to  possess 

My  detention  at  Douai  was  painfully  prolonged.  I  was  in  sus- 
pense for  five  whole  months,  and  nothing  arrived  from  Paris. 
The  attorney-general  had  evinced  much  interest  for  me,  but  mis- 
fortune engenders  distrust,  and  I  began  to  fear  that  he  had  led  me 
on  with  a  vain  hope,  that  I  might  form  no  plans  of  escape  before 
the  departure  of  the  galley-slaves ;  and,  struck  with  the  idea,  I 
again  plotted  deeply  laid  projects  for  escape. 

The  gaoler,  named  VVettu,  viewing  me  as  gained  over  and  peace- 
able, showed  me  various  little  favours;  we  frequently  dined  together 
tete-a-tete  in  a  small  room  with  one  window,  which  looked  on  to 
the  Scarpe.  It  struck  me  that  with  the  aid  of  this  opening,  which 
was  not  grated,  some  day,  after  dinner,  1  could  easily  take  Fren< 
leave,  and  depart ;  only  it  was  absolutely  necessary  that  I  should 
secure  some  disguise,  which  when  I  had  effected  my  escape  would 
effectually  conceal  me  from  all  pursuit,  I  confided  my  intentions 
to  some  friends,  and  they  provided  for  me  the  uniform  of  an  artil- 
lery officer,  of  which  1  resolved  to  avail  myself  at  the  very  first 
opportunity.  One  Sunday  evening  I  was  at  table  with  the  gaoler 
and  the  agent  Hurtrel ;  the  wine  had  made  them  very  merry,  for  I 
had  pushed  it  about  very  briskly.  *  Do  you  know,  my  hearty/ 
said  Hurtrel  to  me,  *  that  it  would  have  been  no  safe  business  to 
have  put  you  here  seven  years  ago.  A  window  without  bars  !  By 
Jove,  I  would  not  have  trusted  you.' — 'And  farther,  Hurtrel,'  I 
replied,  *  one  should  be  made  of  cork  to  risk  a  plunge  from  such 
a  height ;  the  Scarpe  is  very  deep  for  a  person  who  cannot  swim.' 
*  True,'  said  the  gaoler ;  and  there  the  conversation  rested  ;  but 
my  determination  was  taken.  Some  friends  arrived,  and  the 
gaoler  sat  down  to  play  with  them  ;  and  fixing  on  the  moment 
when  he  was  most  intent  on  his  game,  I  threw  myself  into  the 
river. 

At  the  noise  of  my  fall,  all  the  party  ran  to  the  window,  whilst 
Wettu  called  loudly  to  the  guard  and  turnkeys  to  pursue  me. 
Fortunately,  twilight  rendered  it  scarcely  possible  to  discern 
objects  ;  and  my  hat,  which  I  had  thrown  designedly  on  the  bank, 
seemed  to  indicate  that  I  had  immediately  got  out  of  the  river, 
whilst  I  had  continued  swimming  towards  the  Water-gate,  under 
which  I  passed  with  great  difficulty,  in  consequence  of  being  very 
cold,  and  my  strength  beginning  to  fail.  Once  out  of  the  city,  I 
gained  the  bank,  my  clothes,  full  of  water,  not  weighing  less  than 


236  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ,. 

a  hundred-weight ;  but  I  had  made  up  my  mind  not  to  delay,  and 
pushed  on  at  once  for  Blangy,  a  village  two  leagues  from  Arras. 
It  was  four  in  the  morning ;  and  a  baker,  who  was  heating  his 
oven,  gave  me  leave  to  dry  my  garments,  and  supplied  me  with 
food.  As  soon  as  I  was  dried  and  refreshed  I  started  for  Duisans, 
where  the  widow  of  an  old  friend  of  mine,  a  captain,  resided.  A 
messenger  was  to  bring  to  me  there  the  uniform  which  had  been 
provided  for  me  at  Douai ;  and  no  sooner  had  I  obtained  it,  than 
I  went  to  Hersin,  where  I  stayed  a  few  days  with  a  cousin  of 
mine.  The  advice  of  my  friends,  which  was  very  rational,  urged 
me  to  depart  as  quickly  as  possible  ;  and  as  I  learnt  that  the  police, 
convinced  that  I  was  in  the  vicinity,  were  beating  up  every  quarter, 
and  were  approaching  the  place  of  my  abode,  I  determined  not  to 
wait  for  them. 

It  was  evident  that  Paris  only  could  afford  me  refuge ;  but  to 
get  to  Paris  it  was  indispensable  I  should  pass  through  Arras, 
where  I  should  be  infallibly  recognised.  I  cogitated  on  the 
means  of  obviating  this  danger :  and  prudence  suggested  to 
me  to  get  into  the  wicker  calash  of  my  cousin,  who  had  a  famous 
horse,  and  was  the  cleverest  fellow  in  the  world  for  his  knowledge 
of  the  cross-roads.  He  pledged  himself,  on  the  reputation  of  his 
talent  as  a  guide,  to  carry  me  in  safety  by  the  ramparts  of  my 
native  town;  and  I  wanted  no  more  at  his  hands,  trusting  in  my 
disguise  to  effect  the  rest.  I  was  no  longer  Vidocq,  unless  I  was 
examined  very  closely  ;  and  on  reaching  the  bridge  of  Gy,  I  saw, 
without  the  least  alarm,  eight  horses  belonging  to  gendarmes, 
tied  to  the  door  of  a  public-house.  I  confess  I  would  rather  have 
avoided  the  rencontre  ;  but  it  faced  me,  and  it  was  only  by  fronting 
it  boldly  that  I  could  hope  to  escape  detection.  '  Come  on,'  said 
I  to  my  cousin  ;  '  here  we  must  make  an  essay  \  get  down  ;  be  as 
quick  as  you  can,  and  call  for  something.'  He  immediately 
alighted,  and  entered  the  public-house  with  the  air  of  a  man  who 
had  no  dread  of  the  eye  of  the  brigade.  'Ah!'  said  they,  'it  is 
your  cousin  Vidocq  that  you  are  driving?' — *  Perhaps  it  may  be,' 
he  answered,  with  a  laugh  ; '  go  and  see.'  A  gendarme  did  approach 
the  calash,  but  rather  from  curiosity  than  suspicion.  At  the  sight 
of  my  uniform,  he  respectfully  touched  his  hat,  and  said,  '  Your 
servant,  captain  f  and  soon  afterwards  mounted  his  horse  with  his 
comrades.  '  Good  journey,'  cried  my  cousin,  cracking  his  whip, 
'  if  you  lay  hold  of  him,  perhaps  you  will  write  us  word.' — '  Go 
your  way,'  said  the  quarter-master,  who  commanded  the  troop,  '  we 
know  his  haunt ;  Hersin  is  the  word ;  and  to-morrow  by  this  time 
he  will  be  again  between  four  walls.' 

We  continued  our  journey  very  quietly,  but  yet  one  thing  made 


THE  QUARTER-MASTER  OF  GENDARMES.        231 

me  somewhat  uneasy  ;  my  military  dress  might  expose  me  to  some 
difficulties  which  would  have  an  unpleasant  result.  The  war  with 
Prussia  had  begun,  and  there  were  but  few  officers  in  the  interior, 
unless  they  were  confined  there  by  some  wound.  I  determined  on 
carrying  my  arm  in  a  sling  as  an  officer  who  had  been  disabled  at 
Jena  ;  and  if  any  questions  were  asked,  I  was  prepared  to  give  all 
particulars  on  this  subject,  which  I  had  learnt  from  the  bulletins  ; 
and  to  add  those  which  I  could  pick  up  by  hearing  a  multitude  of 
accounts,  some  true  and  some  false,  from  witnesses  either  ocular 
or  not.  In  fact,  I  was  quite  au  fait  concerning  the  battle  of  Jena, 
and  could  speak  to  all  comers  with  perfect  knowledge  of  the 
subject ;  nobody  knew  more  of  it  than  I  did.  I  acquitted  myself 
in  admirable  style  at  Beaumont,  when  the  weariness  of  our  horse, 
which  had  conveyed  us  thirty-three  leagues  in  a  day  and  a  half, 
compelled  us  to  halt.  I  had  already  begun  conversing  in  the  inn, 
when  I  saw  a  quarter-master  of  gendarmes  go  straight  up  to  an 
officer  of  dragoons,  and  ask  for  his  papers.  I  went  up  to  the  quarter- 
master and  asked  him  the  motive  of  this  precaution.  •  I  asked 
him  for  his  route,'  he  answered,  *  because  when  everyone  is  with 
the  army,  a  healthy  officer  would  not  be  left  in  France.'  *  You  are 
right,  comrade,'  said  I,  *  duty  must  be  performed ;'  and  at  the  same 
time,  that  he  might  not  take  a  fancy  to  ask  me  a  similar  question, 
I  asked  him  to  dine  with  us  ;  and  during  the  meal  I  so  far  gained 
his  confidence,  that  he  requested  me,  on  reaching  Paris,  to  use  my 
interest  in  procuring  him  a  change  of  quarters.  I  promised  him 
all  he  asked,  which  much  pleased  him  ;  as  I  was  to  use  my  own 
influence,  which  was  great,  and  that  of  others  still  more  powerful. 
We  are  generally  prodigal  in  bestowing  that  which  we  have  not. 
However  it  may  be,  the  flask  circulated  rapidly ;  and  my  guest,  in 
the  enthusiasm  of  having  secured  an  interest  which  was  so  desirable 
to  him.  began  to  talk  that  voluble  nonsense  which  usually  precedes 
drunkenness,  when  a  gendarme  brought  him  a  packet  of  despatches. 
He  opened  them  with  an  unsteady  hand,  and  attempted  to  read 
\hern,  but  his  eyes  refused  their  office,  and  he  begged  me  to  peruse 
ihem  for  him.  I  opened  a  letter,  and  the  first  words  which  struck 
my  sight  were  these:  'Brigade  of  Arras.'  I  hastily  read  it,  and 
found  that  it  was  advice  of  my  travelling  towards  Beaumont,  and 
adding  that  1  must  have  taken  the  diligence  of  the  Silver  Lion. 

In  spite  of  my  agitation,  I  read  the  letter  to  him,  omitting  or 
adding  particulars  as  I  pleased.  '  Good  !  very  good  !'  said  the 
sober  and  vigilant  quarter-master  ;  *  the  conveyance  will  not  pass 
until  to-morrow  morning,  and  I  will  take  due  care.'  He  then  sat 
down  with  the  intention  of  drinking  more,  but  his  strength  did  not 
equal  his  courage,  and  they  were  obliged  to  carry  him  to  bed,  to 


232  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

the  great  scandal  of  all  the  lookers-on,  who  repeated  with  much 
indignation,  '  What  !  tne  quarter-msster  !  a  man  of  rank,  to  behave 
so  shamefully  !' 

As  might  be  conjectured,  I  did  not  wait  the  uprising  of  the  man 
of  rank ;  and  at  five  o'clock  got  into  the  Beaumont  diligence,  which 
conveyed  me  safely  to  Paris,  where  my  mother,  who  had  remained 
at  Versailles,  rejoined  me.  We  dwelt  together  for  some  months 
in  the  Faubourg  Saint-Denis,  where  we  saw  no  one,  except  a 
jeweller  named  Jacquelin,  whom  I  was  compelled,  to  a  certain 
extent,  to  make  my  confidant,  because  he  had  known  me  at  Rouen 
under  the  name  of  Blondel.  It  was  at  his  house  that  I  met  a 

Madame  de  B ,  who  holds  the  first  rank  in  the  affections  of 

my  life.  Madame  de  B ,  or  Annette,  for  so  I  call  her,  was  a 

very  pretty  woman,  whom  her  husband  had  abandoned  in  conse- 
quence of  his  affairs  turning  out  unfortunate.  He  had  fled  to 
Holland,  and  had  not  been  heard  of  for  a  considerable  time. 
Annette  was  then  quite  free ;  she  pleased  me ;  I  liked  her  wit, 
understanding,  kindly  feeling,  and  ventured  to  tell  her  so  ;  she  saw 
soon,  and  without  much  trouble,  my  assiduity  and  regard ;  and  we 
found  that  we  could  not  exist  without  each  other.  Annette  came 
to  live  with  me,  and  as  I  resumed  the  trade  of  a  travelling  seller 
of  fashionable  commodities,  she  resolved  to  accompany  me  in  my 
perambulations.  The  first  journey  we  undertook  together  was 
excessively  fortunate.  I  learnt,  however,  at  the  moment  I  was 
leaving  Melun,  from  the  landlord  of  the  inn  at  which  I  had  put  up, 
that  the  commissary  of  police  had  testified  some  regret  at  not 
having  examined  my  papers  ;  but  what  was  deferred  was  not  ended, 
and  that  at  my  next  visit  he  meant  to  pay  me  a  visit.  The  infor- 
mation surprised  me,  for  I  must,  consequently,  have  been  in  some 
way  an  object  of  suspicion.  To  go  on  might  lead  to  danger,  and 
I  therefore  returned  to  Paris,  resolving  not  to  make  any  other 
journeys,  unless  I  could  render  less  unfavourable  the  chances  which 
combined  against  me. 

Having  started  very  early,  I  reached  the  Faubourg  Saint  Marceau 
in  good  time  ;  and  at  my  entrance,  I  heard  the  hawkers  bawling 
out,  *  that  two  well-known  persons  are  to  be  executed  to-day  at  the 
Place  de  Greve.'  I  listened,  and  fancied  I  distinguished  the  name 
of  Herbaux.  Herbaux,  the  author  of  the  forgery  which  caused  all 
my  misfortunes  !  I  listened  with  more  attention,  but  with  an  in- 
voluntary shudder ;  and  this  time  the  crier,  to  whom  I  had 
approached,  repeated  the  sentence  with  these  additions  :  *  Here 
is  the  sentence  of  the  criminal  tribunal  of  the  department  of  the 
Seine,  which  condemns  to  death  the  said  Armand  Saint  Leger,  an 
old  sailor,  born  at  Bay^.uie,  and  C£sar  Herbaux,  a  freed  galley- 
slave,  bom  at  Lille,  accused  and  convicied  of  morclcr,'  eic. 


EXECUTION  OF  HERB  A  UX.  233 

I  could  doubt  no  longer ;  the  wretch  who  had  heaped  so  much 
misery  on  my  head  was  about  to  suffer  on  the  scaffold.  Shall  I 
confess  that  I  felt  a  sentiment  of  joy,  and  yet  I  trembled  ?  Tor- 
mented again,  and  agitated  with  a  perpetually  renewing  uneasiness, 
1  would  have  destroyed  all  the  population  of  the  prisons  and 
Bagnes,  who,  having  been  the  means  of  casting  me  into  the  abyss 
of  misery,  had  kept  me  there  by  their  vile  disclosures.  It  will  not 
excite  wonder,  when  I  say  that  I  ran  with  haste  to  the  palace  of 
justice  to  assure  myself  of  the  truth ;  it  was  not  mid-day,  and  I  had 
great  trouble  in  reaching  the  grating,  near  which  I  fixed  myself, 
waiting  for  the  fatal  moment 

At  last  four  o'clock  struck,  and  the  wicket  opened.  A  man  ap- 
peared first  on  the  stage.  It  was  Herbaux.  His  face  was  covered 
with  a  deadly  paleness,  whilst  he  affected  a  firmness  which  the 
convulsive  workings  of  his  features  belied.  He  pretended  to  talk 
to  his  companion,  who  was  already  incapacitated  from  hearing  him. 
At  the  signal  of  departure,  Herbaux,  with  a  countenance  into  which 
he  infused  all  the  audacity  he  could  force,  gazed  round  on  the  crowd, 
and  his  eyes  met  mine.  He  started,  and  the  blood  rushed  to  his 
face.  The  procession  passed  on,  and  I  remained  as  motionless  as 
the  bronze  railings  on  which  I  was  leaning  ;  and  I  should  probably 
have  remained  longer,  if  an  inspector  of  the  palace  had  not  desired 
me  to  come  away.  Twenty  minutes  afterwards,  a  car,  laden  with 
a  red  basket,  and  escorted  by  a  gendarme,  was  hurried  over  the 
Pont-au-Change,  going  towards  the  burial  ground  allotted  for  felons. 
Then,  with  an  oppressed  feeling  at  my  heart,  I  went  away,  and 
regained  my  lodgings  full  of  sorrowful  reflections. 

I  have  since  learnt,  that  during  his  detention  at  the  Bicetre, 
Herbaux  had  expressed  his  regret  at  having  been  instrumental  in 
getting  me  condemned,  when  innocent.  The  crime  which  had 
brought  this  wretch  to  the  scaffold  was  a  murder  committed,  in 
company  with  Saint  Leger,  on  a  lady  of  the  Place  Dauphine. 
These  two  villains  had  obtained  access  to  their  victim  under 
pretence  of  giving  her  tidings  of  her  son,  whom  they  said  they  had 
seen  in  the  army. 

Although,  in  fact,  Herbaux's  execution  could  not  have  any 
direct  influence  over  my  situation,  yet  it  alarmed  me,  and  I  was 
horror-struck  at  feeling  that  I  had  ever  been  in  contact  with  such 
brigands,  destined  to  the  executioner's  arm  :  my  remembrance 
revealed  me  to  myself,  and  I  blushed,  as  it  were,  in  my  own  face. 
I  sought  to  lose  the  recollection,  and  to  lay  down  an  impassable 
line  of  demarcation  between  the  past  and  the  present ;  for  I  saw 
but  too  plainly  that  the  future  was  dependent  on  the  past ;  and  I 


234  MEMOIRS  OF  VWOCQ. 

was  the  more  wretched,  as  a  police,  who  have  not  always  due 
powers  of  discernment,  would  not  permit  me  to  forget  myself.  I 
saw  myself  again  on  the  point  of  being  snared  like  a  deer.  The 
persuasion  that  I  was  interdicted  from  becoming  an  honest  man 
drove  me  to  despair;  I  was  silent,  morose,  and  disheartened. 
Annette  perceived  it,  and  sought  to  console  me ;  she  offered  to 
devote  herself  for  me,  pressed  me  with  questions,  and  my  secret 
escaped  me;  but  I  never  had  cause  to  regret  my  confidence. 
The  activity,  the  zeal,  and  presence  of  mind  of  this  woman  became 
very  useful  to  me.  I  was  in  want  of  a  passport,  and  she  persuaded 
Jacquelin  to  lend  me  his ;  and  to  teach  me  how  to  make  use  of  it, 
she  gave  me  the  most  complete  account  of  her  family  and  con- 
nections. Thus  instructed,  I  set  out  on  my  journey,  and 
traversed  the  whole  of  Lower  Burgundy.  Almost  everywhere  I 
was  examined  as  to  my  passport,  which,  if  they  had  compared  it 
with  my  person,  would  have  at  once  disclosed  the  fraud ;  but  this 
was  nowhere  done,  and  for  more  than  a  year,  with  trifling  excep- 
tions not  worth  detailing,  the  name  of  Jacquelin  was  propitious 
to  me. 

One  day  that  I  had  unpacked  at  Auxerre,  and  was  walking 
peaceably  on  the  quay,  I  met  one  Paquay,  a  robber  by  profession, 
whom  I  had  seen  at  the  Bicetre,  where  he  was  confined  for  six 
years.  I  would  rather  have  avoided  him,  but  he  addressed  me 
abruptly,  and,  from  his  first  salutation,  I  found  that  it  would  not 
be  safe  to  pretend  no  acquaintance  with  him.  He  was  too  in- 
quisitive about  what  I  was  doing ;  and  as  I  saw  from  his  conver- 
sation that  he  wished  me  to  join  him  in  his  robberies,  I  thought  it 
best,  to  get  rid  of  him,  to  talk  of  the  police  of  Auxerre,  whom  I 
represented  as  very  vigilant,  and  consequently  much  to  be  dreaded. 
I  thought  I  saw  that  my  information  made  an  impression  on  him, 
and  I  coloured  the  picture  still  higher,  until  at  length,  after  having 
listened  with  much,  but  unquiet  attention,  he  suddenly  cried, 
'  Devil  take  it  !  it  appears  that  there  is  nothing  to  be  done  here ; 
the  packet-boat  will  start  in  two  hours,  and  if  you  like  we  will  be 
off  together.' — 'Agreed,'  said  I;  'if  you  are  for  starting,  I  am  your 
man.'  I  then  quitted  him,  after  having  promised  to  rejoin  him 
immediately  that  I  should  have  made  some  preparations  which 
were  necessary.  How  pitiable  is  the  condition  of  a  fugitive  galley- 
slave,  who,  if  he  would  not  be  denounced  or  implicated  in  some 
evil  deed,  must  be  himself  the  denouncer  !  Returned  to  the 
public-house,  I  then  wrote  the  following  letter  to  the  lieutenant  of 
the  gendarmerie,  whom  I  knew  to  be  on  the  hunt  for  the  authors 
of  a  robbery  lately  committed  at  the  coach-office : 


GALLE Y-SLA  VES  AT  A UXERRE.  235 

'SiR, 

1  A  person  who  does  not  wish  to  be  known,  informs  you 
that  one  of  the  authors  of  the  robbery  committed  at  the  coach- 
office  in  your  city,  will  set  out  by  the  packet-boat  to  go  to  Soigny, 
where  his  accomplices  most  probably  are.  Lest  you  should  fail, 
and  not  arrest  him  in  time,  it  would  be  best  for  two  disguised 
gendarmes  to  go  on  board  the  packet-boat  with  him,  as  it  is  im- 
portant that  he  should  be  taken  with  prudence,  and  not  allowed  to 
get  out  of  sight,  as  he  is  a  very  active  man.' 

This  missive  was  accompanied  by  a  description  so  minute  that 
it  was  impossible  to  mistake  him.  The  moment  of  departure 
arrived,  and  I  went  on  the  quays,  taking  a  circuitous  route,  and 
from  the  window  of  a  public-house  where  I  stationed  myself,  I 
perceived  Paquay  enter  the  packet-boat,  and  soon  afterwards  the 
two  gendarmes  embarked,  whom  I  recognised  by  a  certain  air, 
which  may  be  seen,  but  cannot  be  described.  At  intervals  they 
handed  a  paper  to  each  other,  which  they  perused,  and  then  cast 
their  eyes  on  the  man,  whose  dress,  contrary  to  the  usual  garb  of 
the  robbers,  was  in  a  bad  condition.  The  boat  moved  on.  and  I 
saw  it  depart  with  the  more  pleasure,  as  it  carried  with  it  Paquay, 
his  propositions,  and  even  his  discoveries,  if,  as  I  did  not  doubt, 
he  had  the  intention  of  making  any. 

The  day  after  this  adventure,  whilst  I  was  taking  an  inventory 
of  my  merchandizes,  I  heard  an  extraordinary  noise,  and,  looking 
from  the  windows,  I  saw  Thierry  and  his  satellites  guarding  a 
chain  of  galley-slaves  !  At  this  sight,  so  terrible  and  inauspicious 
for  me,  I  drew  back  quickly,  but  in  my  haste  I  broke  a  pane  of 
glass,  and  suddenly  attracted  all  looks  towards  me.  I  wished  my- 
self in  the  bowels  of  the  earth.  But  this  was  not  all ;  for  to 
increase  my  disquietude,  somebody  opened  my  door ;  it  was  the 
landlady  of  the  Pheasant,  Madame  Gelet  '  Here,  M.  Jacquelin, 
come  and  see  the  chain  passing,'  she  cried  '  Oh,  it  is  long  since 
I  saw  such  a  fine  one ;  there  are  at  least  one  hundred  and  fifty, 
and  some  of  them  famous  fellows  !  Do  you  hear  how  they  are 
singing  ?'  I  thanked  my  hostess  for  her  attention,  and  pretending 
to  be  much  busied,  told  her  that  I  would  go  down  in  an  instant. 
*  Oh,  do  not  hurry  yourself,'  she  answered,  *  there  is  plenty  of 
time ;  they  are  going  to  sleep  here  in  our  stables.  And  then,  if 
you  wish  to  have  any  conversation  with  the  commandant,  they  will 
put  him  in  the  chamber  next  to  you.'  Lieutenant  Thierry  my 
neighbour  !  At  this  intelligence,  I  know  not  what  passed  in  my 
mind ;  but  I  think  that  if  Madame  Gelet  had  observed  me  she 
wou^d  have  seen,  my  countenance  &rpw  pale,  and  my  whole  frame 


236  MEMOIRS  OF  VWOCQ. 

tremble  with  an  involuntary  shudder.  Lieutenant  Thierry  my 
neighbour  !  He  might  recognise  me,  detect  me ;  a  gesture  might 
betray  me ;  and  it  was  therefore  expedient  to  avoid  a  rencontre  if 
possible.  The  necessity  of  completing  my  inventory  was  an 
excuse  for  my  apparent  want  of  curiosity.  I  passed  a  frightful 
night,  and  it  was  not  until  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  when  the 
departure  of  the  infernal  procession  was  announced  to  me,  that  I 
breathed  freely  again. 

He  has  never  suffered,  who  has  not  experienced  horrors  similar 
to  those  into  which  the  presence  of  this  troop  of  banditti  and  their 
guard  threw  me.  To  be  again  invested  with  those  fetters  which  I 
had  broken  at  the  cost  of  so  much  endurance  and  exertion,  was 
an  idea  which  haunted  me  incessantly.  I  was  not  the  sole 
possessor  of  my  own  secret,  for  there  were  galley-slaves  everywhere, 
who,  if  I  sought  to  flee  from  them,  would  infallibly  betray  me ;  my 
repose,  my  very  existence,  was  menaced  on  all  sides,  and  at  all 
times.  The  glance  of  an  eye,  the  name  of  a  commissary,  the 
appearance  of  a  gendarme,  the  perusal  of  a  sentence,  all  aroused 
and  excited  my  alarm.  How  often  did  I  curse  the  perverse  fate 
which,  deceiving  my  youth,  had  smiled  at  the  disorderly  license 
of  my  passions  ;  and  that  tribunal  which,  by  an  unjust  sentence, 
had  plunged  me  into  a  gulf  whence  I  could  not  extricate  myself, 
nor  cleanse  myself  of  the  foul  imputations  which  clung  to  me ;  and 
those  institutions  which  close  for  ever  the  door  of  repentance  !  I 
was  excluded  from  society,  and  yet  I  was  anxious  to  give  it  proofs 
of  good  conduct ;  I  had  given  them ;  and  I  attest  my  invariably 
honourable  behaviour  after  every  escape,  my  habits  of  regularity, 
and  my  punctilious  fidelity  in  fulfilling  all  my  engagements. 

Now  some  fears  arose  in  my  mind  concerning  Paquay,  in  whose 
arrest  I  had  been  instrumental ;  and,  on  reflection,  it  seemed  that 
I  had  acted  inconsiderately  in  this  circumstance;  I  felt  a  forewarn- 
ing of  some  impending  evil,  and  the  presentiment  was  realized. 
Paquay,  when  conducted  to  Paris  and  then  brought  back  to  be 
confronted  at  Auxerre,  learnt  that  I  was  still  in  that  city ;  he  had 
always  suspected  me  of  having  denounced  him,  and  determined  on 
his  revenge.  He  told  the  gaoler  all  he  knew  concerning  me,  and 
he  reported  it  to  the  authorities  ;  but  my  reputation  for  probity  was 
so  well  established  in  Auxerre,  where  I  remained  for  three  months 
at  a  time,  that,  to  avoid  an  unpleasant  business,  a  magistrate,  whose 
name  I  will  not  disclose,  sent  for  me,  and  gave  me  notice  of  what 
had  occurred.  There  was  no  occasion  for  me  to  avow  the  truth, 
my  agitation  revealed  all,  and  I  had  only  strength  to  say,  '  Sir,  I 
seek  to  be  an  honest  man.'  Without  any  reply,  he  went  out  and 
left  me  alone.  I  comprehended  his  generous  silence,  and  in  a 


BLOND  K  237 

quarter  of  an  hour  I  had  lost  sight  of  Auxerre ;  and  from  my  retreat 
I  wrote  to  Annette,  to  inform  her  of  this  fresh  catastrophe.  But  to 
remove  suspicion,  I  recommended  her  to  stay  for  a  fortnight  at  the 
Pheasant,  and  to  tell  everybody  that  I  was  at  Rouen,  making 
purchases,  and  on  the  expiration  of  the  time  she  was  to  rejoin  me 
at  Paris,  where  she  arrived  at  the  day  appointed.  She  told  me 
that  the  day  after  my  departure  disguised  gendarmes  had  called 
at  my  warehouse,  intending  to  arrest  me,  and  that  not  finding 
me,  they  had  said  that  they  did  not  mind,  for  they  should  discover 
me  at  last. 

They  continued  their  search  ;  and  this  deranged  all  my  plans, 
for,  masked  under  the  name  of  Jacquelin,  I  saw  myself  reduced  to 
quit  it,  and  once  more  renounce  the  industrious  trade  which  I  had 
created. 

No  passport,  however  good,  could  protect  me  through  the  dis- 
tricts which  I  usually  travelled  over ;  and  in  those  where  I  was 
unknown,  my  unusual  appearance  would  most  probably  excite  sus- 
picion. The  crisis  was  horridly  critical.  What  could  I  do  ?  This 
was  my  only  thought,  when  chance  introduced  me  to  a  tailor  of 
the  Cour  Saint  Martin,  who  was  desirous  of  selling  his  business. 
I  treated  with  him,  persuaded  that  I  could  nowhere  be  so  safe  as 
in  the  heart  of  a  capital,  where  it  is  easy  to  lose  one's  self  amid  the 
crowded  population.  Eight  months  elapsed,  and  nothing  dis- 
turbed the  tranquillity  enjoyed  by  my  mother,  Annette,  and  myself. 
My  trade  prospered,  and  every  day  augmented  it ;  nor  did  I  confine 
myself,  as  my  predecessor  had  done,  to  the  making  up  of  clothes, 
but  traded  also  in  cloths,  and  was,  perhaps,  on  the  road  to  fortune, 
when  one  morning  all  my  troubles  were  renewed. 

I  was  in  my  warehouse,  when  a  messenger  came  to  me,  and 
said  1  was  wanted  at  a  coffee-house  in  the  Rue  Aumaire,  and  think- 
ing that  it  was  some  matter  of  business,  I  immediately  went  to  the 
place  appointed.  I  was  taken  into  a  private  room,  and  there 
found  two  fugitives  from  the  Bagne  at  Brest ;  one  of  them  was  that 
Blondy  who  aided  my  unfortunate  escape  from  Pont-a-Luzen. 
'We  have  been  here  these  ten  days,'  said  he  to  me,  'and  have  not 
a  sou.  Yesterday  we  saw  you  in  a  warehouse,  that  we  learnt  was 
your  own,  which  gave  us  much  pleasure ;  and  I  said  to  my  friend, 
"  Let  us  now  cast  off  all  care ;"  for  we  know  that  you  are  not  the 
man  to  leave  old  comrades  in  difficulty.' 

The  idea  of  seeing  myself  in  the  power  of  two  ruffians  whom  I 
knew  capable  of  the  vilest  deeds,  even  of  selling  me  to  the  police 
to  make  a  profit  of  me,  although  they  injured  themselves,  was  over- 
\vhclming.  I  did  not  fail  to  express  my  pleasure  at  seeing  them, 
adding,  that  I  was  not  rich,  and  regretting  that  it  was  only  in  my 


238  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

power  to  give  them  fifty  francs.  They  appeared  content  with  this 
sum  ;  and  on  leaving  me,  expressed  their  intention  to  depart  at 
once  for  Chalons-sur-Marne,  where  they  said  they  had  business. 
I  should  have  been  but  too  fortunate  had  they  at  once  quitted 
Paris,  but  on  bidding  me  adieu,  they  promised  soon  to  see  me 
again,  and  I  remained  tormented  with  the  dread  of  their  return. 
Would  they  not  consider  me  as  a  milch-cow,  and  make  the  most 
of  their  power  over  me  ?  Would  they  not  be  insatiable  ?  Who 
could  answer  that  their  demands  would  be  limited  to  my  means  ? 
I  already  saw  myself  the  banker  of  these  gentlemen  and  many 
others ;  for  it  was  to  be  presumed,  that,  in  conformity  with  the 
custom  of  these  thieves,  if  I  satisfied  them  they  would  introduce 
their  friends  to  me,  who  would  also  draw  upon  me,  and  I  should 
only  be  on  good  terms  with  them  till  my  first  refusal,  and  after 
that  they  would  without  doubt  serve  me  a  villainous  trick.  With 
such  bloodhounds  let  loose  upon  me,  it  may  be  imagined  that  I  was 
but  ill  at  ease  !  It  must  be  allowed  that  my  situation  was  an  un- 
pleasant one,  but  it  was  crowned  with  a  rencontre  which  made  it 
still  worse. 

It  may  or  may  not  be  remembered  that  my  wife,  after  her 
divorce,  had  married  again,  and  I  thought  she  was  in  the  depart- 
ment of  the  Pas-de-Calais,  entirely  occupied  in  being  happy  and 
making  her  new  husband  so,  when,  in  the  Rue  du  Petit-Carreau,  I 
met  her,  face  to  face ;  and  it  was  impossible  to  pass  her,  for  she  at 
once  recognised  me.  I  spoke  to  her,  without  alluding  to  the  wrongs 
she  had  done  me ;  and  as  the  dilapidation  of  her  dress  evinced  that 
she  was  not  in  very  flourishing  circumstances  I  gave  her  some 
money.  She  perhaps  imagined  that  it  was  an  interested  generosity, 
but  it  certainly  was  not.  It  never  occurred  to  me  that  the  ex- 
Madame  Vidocq  would  denounce  me.  In  truth,  in  recurring  at  a 
later  period  to  our  old  wrangles,  I  thought  that  my  heart  had  only 
given  me  prudential  suggestions,  and  then  approved  of  what  I  had 
done ;  it  appeared  most  proper  that  this  female,  in  her  distress, 
should  rely  on  me  for  some  assistance.  Detained  in  or  far  from 
Paris,  I  was  anxious  to  relieve  her  misery.  This  should  have  been 
a  consideration  to  determine  her  to  preserve  silence ;  and  I  at  least 
thought  so.  We  shall  see  whether  or  not  I  was  deceived  in  my 
expectation. 

The  support  of  my  ex-wife  was  an  expense  to  which  I  reconciled 
myself ;  but  of  this  charge  I  did  not  as  yet  know  the  whole  weight. 
A  fortnight  had  elapsed  since  our  interview ;  when  one  morning  I 
was  sent  for  to  the  Rue  de  1'Echiquier,  and  on  going  there,  at  the 
bottom  of  a  court,  in  a  ground-floor  room,  very  clean,  but  mear^j: 
furnished,  I  saw  again  not  only  my  wife,  but  also  her  nieces  and 


BLOND K  239 

'  their  father,  the  terrorist  Chevalier,  who  had  just  been  freed  from  ai 
imprisonment  of  six  months,  for  stealing  plate.     A  glance  wa 
sufficient  to  assure  me  that  I  had  now   the  whole  family  on  my 
hands.     They  were  in  a  state  of  the  most  complete  destitution ;  I 
hated  them  and  cursed  them,  and  yet  I  could  do  nothing  better 
than  extend  my  hand  to  them.     I  drained  myself  for  them,  for  to 
have  driven  them  to  despair  would  have  brought  on  my  own  ruin ; 
and  rather  than  return  to  the  power  of  the  police,  I  resolved  on 
sacrificing  my  last  sou. 

At  this  period  it  seemed  as  if  the  whole  world  was  leagued  against 
me  ;  I  was  compelled  to  draw  my  purse-strings  at  every  moment, 
and  for  whom  ?  For  creatures  who,  looking  on  my  liberality  as 
compulsory,  were  prepared  to  betray  me  as  soon  as  I  ceased  to  be 
a  certain  source  of  reliance.  When  I  went  home  from  my  wife's, 
I  had  still  another  proof  of  the  wretchedness  affixed  to  the  state  of 
a  fugitive  galley-slave.  Annette  and  my  mother  were  in  tears. 
During  my  absence,  two  drunken  men  had  asked  for  me,  and  on 
being  told  that  I  was  from  home,  they  had  broken  forth  in  oaths 
and  threats  which  left  me  no  longer  in  doubt  of  the  perfidy  of  their 
intentions.  By  the  description  which  Annette  gave  me  of  these 
two  individuals,  I  easily  recognised  Blondy  and  his  comrade  Deluc  ; 
I  had  no  trouble  in  guessing  their  names ;  and,  besides,  they  had 
left  an  address,  with  a  formal  injunction  to  send  them  forty  francs, 
which  was  more  than  enough  to  disclose  to  me  who  they  were,  as 
there  were  not  in  Paris  any  other  persons  who  could  send  such  an 
intimation.  I  was  obedient,  very  obedient ;  only  in  paying  my 
contribution  to  these  two  scoundrels,  I  could  not  help  letting  them 
know  how  inconsiderately  they  had  behaved.  '  Consider  what  a 
step  you  have  taken,'  said  I  to  them  ;  '  they  knew  nothing  at  my 
house,  and  you  have  told  all ;  my  wife,  who  carries  on  the  concern 
in  her  name,  will  perhaps  turn  me  out,  and  then  I  must  be  reduced 
to  the  lowest  ebb  of  misery.' — *  Oh,  you  can  come  and  rob  with  us,' 
answered  the  two  rascals. 

I  endeavoured  to  convince  them  how  much  better  it  was  to  owe 
an  existence  to  honest  toil,  than  to  be  in  incessant  fear  from  the 
police,  which  sooner  or  later  catches  all  malefactors  in  its  nets.  I 
added  that  one  crime  generally  leads  to  another ;  that  he  would 
risk  his  neck  who  ran  straight  towards  the  guillotine  ;  and  the  ter- 
mination of  my  discourse  was,  that  they  would  do  well  to  renounce 
the  dangerous  career  on  which  they  had  entered. 

4  Not  so  bad  !'  cried  Blondy,  when  I  had  finished  my  lecture, 
'  not  so  bad  !  But  can  you  in  the  meantime  point  out  to  us  any 
apartment  that  we  can  ransack  ?  We  are,  you  see,  like  Harlequin, 
and  have  more  need  of  cash  than  advice ;'  and  they  left  me,  laugh 


240  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

ing  deridingly  at  me.  I  called  them  back,  to  profess  my  attachment 
to  them,  and  begged  them  not  to  call  again  at  my  house.  '  If  that 
is  all,'  said  Deluc,  *  we  will  keep  from  that.' — *  Oh  yes,  we'll  keep 
away,'  added  Blondy,  '  since  that  is  unpleasant  to  your  mistress. 

But  the  latter  did  not  stay  away  long  :  the  very  next  day  at  night- 
fall he  presented  himself  at  my  warehouse,  and  asked  to  speak  to 
me  privately.  I  took  him  into  my  own  room.  '  We  are  alone  ?' 
said  he  to  me,  looking  round  at  the  room  in  which  we  were ;  and 
when  he  was  assured  that  he  had  no  witnesses,  he  drew  from  his 
pocket  eleven  silver  forks  and  two  gold  watches,  which  he  placed 
on  a  stand.  *  Four  hundred  francs  for  this  would  not  be  too  much 
— the  silver  plate  and  the  gold  watches.  Come,  tip  us  the  needful. ' 
*  Four  hundred  francs !'  said  I,  alarmed  at  so  abrupt  a  total ;  *  I 
have  not  so  much  money.'  'Never  mind — go  and  sell  the  goods.' 
— '  But  if  it  should  be  known  ?'  *  That's  your  affair  ;  I  want  the 
ready  ;  or  if  you  like  it  better,  I'll  send  you  customers  from  the 
police-ofifice — you  know  what  a  word  would  do.  Come,  come,  the 
cash,  the  chink,  and  no  gammon.'  I  understood  the  scoundrel  but 
too  well  :  I  saw  myself  denounced,  dragged  from  the  state  into 
which  I  had  installed  myself,  and  led  back  to  the  Bagne.  I 
counted  out  the  four  hundred  francs. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

My  wicker  car — Arrest  of  two  galley-slaves — Fearful  discovery — I  offer  to 
serve  the  police — My  concealment — Disguises — Chevalier  denounces  me — 
Annette — Passers  of  false  money — I  am  apprehended  and  sent  to  the 
Bicetre. 

I  WAS  a  receiver  of  stolen  goods!  a  criminal,  in  spite  of  myself! 
But  yet  I  was  one,  for  I  had  lent  a  hand  to  crime.  No  hell  can  be 
imagined  equal  to  the  torment  in  which  I  now  existed.  I  was 
incessantly  agitated;  remorse  and  fear  assailed  me  at  once  night 
and  day;  at  each  moment  I  was  on  the  rack.  I  did  not  sleep,  I 
had  no  appetite,  the  cares  of  business  were  no  longer  atended  to, 
all  was  hateful  to  me.  All!  no,  I  had  Annette  and  my  mother 
with  me.  But  should  I  not  be  forced  to  abandon  them?  Some- 
times I  trembled  at  the  thoughts  of  my  apprehension,  and  my 
home  was  transformed  into  a  filthy  dungeon;  sometimes  it  was 
surrounded  by  the  police,  and  their  pursuit  laid  open  proofs  of  a 
misdeed  which  would  draw  down  on  me  the  vengeance  of  the 
law.  Harassed  by  the  family  of  the  Chevalier,  who  devoured  rny 
substance;  tormented  by  Blondy,  who  was  never  wearied  with 
applying  to  me  for  money ;  dreading  all  that  could  occur,  that  was 
most  horrible  and  incurable  in  my  situation ;  ashamed  of  the 
tyranny  -exercised  over  me  bv  the  vilest  wretches  that  disgraced  the 


THE  WICKER  CAR.  2*1 

earth ;  irritated  that  I  could  not  burst  through  the  moral  chain 
which  irrevocably  bound  me  to  the  opprobrium  of  the  human 
race,  I  was  driven  to  the  brink  of  despair,  and  for  eight  days 
pondered  in  my  head  the  direst  purposes.  Blondy,  the  wretch 
Blondy,  was  the  especial  object  of  my  wrathful  indignation;  I  could 
have  strangled  him  with  all  my  heart,  and  yet  I  still  kept  on  terms 
with  him,  still  had  a  welcome  for  him.  Impetuous  and  violent  as 
I  was  by  nature,  it  was  astonishing  how  much  patient  endurance  I 
exercised;  but  it  was  all  owing  to  Annette.  Oh!  how  I  prayed, 
with  fervent  sincerity,  that  in  one  of  his  frequent  excursions  some 
friendly  gendarme  might  drive  a  bullet  through  Blondy's  brain ! 
I  even  trusted  that  it  was  an  event  that  would  soon  occur;  but 
every  time  that  a  more  extended  absence  began  to  inspire  me 
with  the  hope  that  I  was  at  length  freed  from  this  wretch,  he  again 
appeared,  and  brought  with  him  a  renewal  of  all  my  cares. 

One  day  I  saw  him  come  with  Deluc  and  an  ex-clerk,  named 
St.  Germain,  whom  I  had  known  at  Rouen ;  where,  like  many 
others,  he  had  barely  the  reputation  of  an  honest  man.  St. 
Germain,  who  had  only  known  me  as  the  merchant  Blonde),  was 
much  astonished  at  the  meeting ;  but  two  words  from  Blondy  ex- 
plained my  whole  history. — I  was  a  thorough  rogue.  Confidence 
then  replaced  astonishment ;  and  St.  Germain,  who  at  first  had 
frowned,  joined  in  the  mirth.  THondy  told  me  that  they  were 
going  all  three  to  set  out  for  the  environs  of  Senlis,  and  asked  me 
for  the  loan  of  my  wicker  car,  which  I  made  use  of  when  visiting 
the  fairs.  Glad  to  get  rid  of  these  fellows  on  such  terms,  I  hastily 
wrote  a  note  to  the  person  who  had  charge  of  it.  He  gave  them 
the  conveyance  and  harness,  and  away  they  went ;  whilst  for  ten 
days  I  heard  nothing  of  them,  when  St.  Germain  reappeared.  He 
entered  my  house  one  morning,  with  an  alarmed  look,  and  an 
appearance  of  much  fatigue.  *  Well,'  said  he,  '  my  comrades  have 
been  seized.' — 'Seized !'  cried  I,  with  a  joy  which  I  could  not  repress ; 
but,  assuming  all  my  coolness,  I  asked  for  the  details,  with  an  af- 
fectation of  being  greatly  concerned  St.  Germain  told  me,  in 
few  words,  that  Blondy  and  Deluc  had  only  been  apprehended 
because  they  travelled  without  credentials.  I  did  not  believe  any- 
thing he  said,  and  had  no  doubt  they  had  been  engaged  in  some 
robbery;  and  what  confirmed  my  suspicions  was, that,  on  proposing 
to  send  them  some  money,  St.  Germain  told  me  that  they  were 
not  in  want  of  any.  On  leaving  Paris  they  had  fifty  francs 
amongst  them ;  and  certainly  with  so  small  a  sum,  it  would  have 
been  a  difficult  matter  to  have  gone  on  for  a  fortnight;  and  yet  how 
was  it  that  they  were  still  not  unprovided  ?  The  first  idea  that 
flashed  through  my  brain,  was  that  they  had  committed  some  ex- 

16 


242  MEMOIRS  OF  VTDOCQ. 

tensive  robbery,  which  they  wished  to  conceal  from  me;  but  I 
soon  discovered  that  the  business  was  of  a  still  more  serious 
nature. 

Two  days  after  St.  Germain's  return,  I  thought  I  would  go  and 
look  at  my  car ;  and  remarked,  at  first,  that  they  had  altered  its 
exterior  appearance.  On  getting  inside,  I  saw  on  the  lining  of 
white  and  blue  striped  ticken,  red  spots  recently  washed  out ;  and 
then,  opening  the  seat  to  take  out  the  key,  I  found  it  filled  with 
blood,  as  if  a  carcase  had  been  laid  there  !  All  was  now  apparent, 
and  the  truth  was  exposed,  even  more  horrible  than  my  suspicions 
had  foreboded.  I  did  not  hesitate ;  far  more  interested  than  the 
murderers  themselves  in  getting  rid  of  all  traces  of  the  deed,  on 
the  next  night  I  took  the  vehicle  to  the  banks  of  the  Seine,  and 
having  got  as  far  as  Bercy,  in  a  lone  spot,  I  set  fire  to  some  straw 
and  dry  wood  with  which  I  had  filled  it,  and  did  not  leave  the 
spot  until  the  whole  was  burnt  to  ashes. 

St.  Germain,  to  whom  I  spoke  of  the  circumstances,  without 
adding  that  I  had  burnt  my  carriage,  confessed  that  the  dead 
body  of  a  waggoner,  assassinated  by  Blondy,  between  Louvres  and 
Dam  martin,  had  been  concealed  in  it,  until  they  found  an  oppor- 
tunity of  throwing  it  into  a  well.  This  man,  one  of  the  most 
abandoned  villains  I  ever  encountered,  spoke  of  the  deed  as  if  it 
were  a  most  harmless  action ;  and  a  laugh  was  on  his  lips  while 
he  related  the  facts  with  the  most  unembarrassed  and  easy  tone. 
I  was  horrified,  and  listened  with  a  sort  of  stupefaction  ;  and  when 
he  asked  me  for  the  impression  of  the  lock  of  an  apartment  with 
which  I  was  acquainted,  I  reached  the  climax  of  my  terrors.  I 
made  some  observations,  to  which  he  replied,  '  What  is  that  to 
me  ? — business  must  be  done.  Because  you  know  him  !  Why, 
that  is  the  stronger  reason  ;  you  know  all  the  ways  of  the  house ; 
you  can  guide  me,  and  we  will  share  the  produce  ! — Come,  it  is  no 
use  refusing  ;  I  must  have  the  impression.'  I  pretended  to  yield 
to  his  arguments.  '  Such  scruples  as  these — hold  your  tongue!' 
replied  St.  Germain;  'you  make  me  sweat  [the  expression  he  used 
was  not  quite  so  proper].  But  come,  all  is  agreed,  and  half  the 
plunder  is  yours.'  Good  God !  what  an  associate !  I  had  no 
cause  to  rejoice  at  Blondy's  mishap;  I  really  got  rid  of  a  fever  and 
fell  into  an  ague.  Blondy  would  yield  to  persuasion  on  certain 
terms,  but  St.  Germain  never ;  and  he  was  even  more  imperious  in 
his  demands.  Exposed  to  see  myself  compromised  from  one 
moment  to  another,  I  determined  to  see  M.  Henry,  chief  of  the 
division  of  security  in  the  prefecture  of  police  T  went  to  him ; 
and  having  unfolded  my  situation  to  him,  declared  thaf  i/  he  would 
tolerate  my  residence  at  Paris,  1  would  give  him  exact  information 


IN  COMMUNICATION  WITH  THE  POLICE.        243 

of  a  great  many  fugitive  galley-slaves,  with  whose  retreats  and 
plans  I  was  well  acquainted. 

M.  Henry  received  me  with  much  kindness ;  but  having  for  a 
moment  reflected  on  what  I  had  said,  answered  that  he  could  not 
enter  into  any  terms  with  me.  '  That  should  not  prevent  your 
giving  the  information,' he  continued,  'and  we  can  then  judge  how 
useful  it  may  be  ;  and  perhaps  .  .  .  .'  '  Ah,  sir,  no  perhaps ;  that 
would  risk  my  life.  You  are  not  ignorant  of  what  those  individuals 
are  capable  whom  you  denounce ;  and  if  I  must  be  led  back  to 
the  Bagne  after  some  part  of  an  accusation  has  stated  that  I  have 
made  communications  to  the  police,  I  am  a  dead  man.' — 'Under 
these  circumstances,  let  us  speak  no  farther  on  the  subject;'  and 
he  left  me,  without  even  asking  my  name. 

I  was  deeply  grieved  at  the  ill  success  of  my  proposition.  St. 
Germain  was  about  to  return  and  demand  the  performance  of  my 
promise.  What  was  I  to  do?  Ought  I  to  inform  the  individual 
that  we  were  about  to  rob  him  together?  If  it  had  been  possible 
to  have  avoided  accompanying  St.  Germain,  it  would  not  have  been 
so  dangerous  to  have  given  such  notice ;  but  I  had  promised  to 
assist  him,  and  had  no  pretext  for  getting  off  from  my  promi.se, 
and  I  waited  for  him  as  I  should  have  done  for  a  sentence  of 
death.  One,  two,  three  weeks  passed  in  these  perplexities,and  at 
the  end  of  this  time  I  began  to  breathe  again  ;  and  when  two 
months  had  elapsed,  was  perfectly  at  my  ease,  thinking  that  he  had 
been  apprehended,  as  well  as  his  two  companions.  Annette  (I 
shall  always  remember  it)  made  a  nine  days'  vow,  and  burnt  at 
least  a  dozen  wax  candles  in  token  of  joy.  'I  pray  to  heaven, 'she 
sometimes  said,  'that  they  may  continue  where  they  are.'  The 
torment  had  been  of  long  duration,  but  the  moments  of  calm  were 
brief,  and  they  preceded  the  catastrophe  which  decided  my  exist- 
ence. 

The  3rd  of  May,  1809,  at  daybreak,  I  was  awakened  by  several 
knocks  at  my  warehouse  door ;  and  going  down  to  see,  was  on  the 
point  of  opening  the  door,  when  I  heard  some  voices  in  conversa- 
tion in  a  low  tone.  '  He  is  a  powerful  man,'  said  one;  'we  must 
be  wary  !'  There  was  no  doubt  concerning  the  motives  of  this 
early  visit,  and  I  returned  hastily  to  my  chamber,  told  Annette 
what  had  passed,  and  opening  the  window,  whilst  she  entered  into 
conversation  with  the  officers,  I  glided  out  in  my  shirt  by  a  door 
which  opened  on  the  staircase,  and  soon  reached  the  upper  story ; 
at  the  fourth  I  saw  an  open  door  and  entered,  looked  about  me, 
listened,  and  found  I  was  alone.  In  a  recess  in  the  wall  was  a  bed, 
hidden  by  a  ragged  crimson  damask  curtain.  Pressed  by  circum- 
stances, and  sure  that  the  staircase  was  guarded,  I  threw  myself 

1 6— 2. 


244  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

beneath  the  mattress ;  but  scarcely  had  I  lain  down  when  some 
one  entered,  whom  I  recognised  to  be  a  young  man  named  Fosse*, 
whose  father,  a  brass-worker,  was  lying  in  an  adjacent  room,  and  a 
dialogue  thus  began : 

SCENE  THE  FIRST. 

FATHER,    MOTHER,    AND   SON. 

SON.  'What  do  you  think,  father?  They  are  looking  for  the 
tailor — they  want  to  seize  him — all  the  house  is  in  an  uproar.  Do 
you  hear  the  bell  ?  Hark !  hark  !  they  are  ringing  at  the  watch- 
maker's.' 

MOTHER.  '  Let  them  ring — do  not  you  meddle  in  business  that 
does  not  concern  you. — (To  her  husbatid}  Come,  father,  dress; 
they  will  soon  be  here.' 

FATHER  (Yawning,  and,  as  limagined,  rubbing  his  eyes).  *  The 
devil  fetch  them — what  do  they  want  with  the  tailor  ?' 

SON.  '  I  do  not  know,  father ;  but  there  are  lots  of  them — 
bailiffs  and  gendarmes,  and  a  commissary  with  them.' 

FATHER.  '  Perhaps  it  is  nothing  at  all.' 

MOTHER.  *  But  what  can  they  want  with  the  tailor  ?  What  can 
he  have  done  ?' 

FATHER.  *  What  can  he  have  done  ?  Since  he  sells  cloth,  he 
may  have  made  clothes  of  English  goods.' 

MOTHER.  '  He  may  have  employed  foreign  goods  ?  You  make 
me  laugh  at  you.  Do  you  think  he  would  be  apprehended  for  that?' 

FATHER.  *  Yes,  I  think  they  would  apprehend  him  for  that,  and 
the  continental  blockade.' 

SON.  Continental  blockade  !  What  do  you  mean  by  that,  father? 
What  has  that  to  do  with  the  matter  ?' 

MOTHER.  '  Oh  yes  !  Tell  us,  then,  what  will  be  the  end  of  this; 
and  let  us  know  the  truth  of  it  all.' 

FATHER.  '  The  meaning  of  all  this !  that  perhaps  they  will  make 
the  tailor  a  head  shorter.' 

MOTHER.  *  Good  God  !  poor  man !  I  am  sure  they  will  take 
him  away — criminals,  like  him,  are  not  guilty ;  and  if  it  only  de- 
pended on  me,  I  know  I  would  hide  them  all  in  my  chemise.' 

FATHER.  *  Do  you  not  know  the  tailor  is  a  large  fellow  ? — he 
has  a  famous  body  of  his  own.' 

MOTHER.  '  Never  mind,  I  would  hide  him.  I  wish  he  would 
come  here.  Do  you  remember  the  deserter  ?' 

FATHER.  '  Hush,  hush  !     Here  they  come. 

SCENE  THE  SECOND. 

ENTER  THE   COMMISSARY,   GENDARMES   AND   THEIR  ATTENDANTS. 

At  this  moment  the  commissary  and  his  staff,  having  traversed 
vhe  house  from  top  to  bottom,  reached  the  fourth  story. 


THE  SEARCH.  245 

COMMISSARY.  *  Ah !  the  door  is  open.  I  beg  pardon  for  dis- 
turbing you,  but  the  interest  of  society  demands  it.  You  have  a 
neighbour,  a  very  bad  man — a  man  who  would  kill  either  father  or 
mother.' 

WIFE.   « What,  Monsieur  Vidocq  ? 

COMMISSARY.  Yes,  madam,  Vidocq ;  and  I  charge  you,  in  case 
you  or  your  husband  have  given  him  shelter,  to  tell  me  without 
delay.' 

WIFE.  *  Ah,  Monsieur  le  Commissaire,  you  may  look  everywhere 
if  you  please.  We  give  shelter  to  anyone  who ' 

COMMISSARY.  'Ah,  you  should  beware,  for  the  law  is  very 
severe  in  this  particular.  It  is  a  subject  on  which  there  is  no 
joking  !  You  would  subject  yourselves  to  very  severe  punishment; 
for  a  man  condemned  to  capital  punishment,  it  would  be  nothing 
Jess  than ' 

HUSBAND  (quickly).  'We  are  not  afraid  of  that,  Monsieur  le 
Commissaire.' 

COMMISSARY.  '  I  believe  you,  and  rely  on  you.  However,  that 
I  may  have  nothing  to  reproach  myself  with,  you  will  permit  me 
to  make  a  slight  search,  just  a  Simple  formality.  (Addressing  his 
attendants) — Gentlemen,  are  the  egresses  well  guarded  ?' 

After  a  very  minute  search  of  the  inner  room,  the  commissary 
returned  to  that  in  which  I  was.  'And  in  this  bed,'  said  he, 
raising  the  tattered  damask  curtains,  whilst  at  my  feet  I  felt  one  of 
the  corners  of  the  mattress  shake,  which  they  let  fall  carelessly, 
1  there  is  no  Vidocq  here.  Come,  he  must  have  made  himself  in- 
visible ;  we  must  give  over  our  search.'  It  may  be  imagined  that 
I  felt  overjoyed  at  these  words,  which  removed  an  enormous 
weight  from  my  mind.  At  length  all  the  alguazils  retired,  the 
brass-worker's  wife  attending  them  with  much  politeness,  and  I  was 
left  alone  with  the  father  and  son,  and  a  little  child,  who  did  not 
think  that  I  was  so  near  them.  I  heard  them  pitying  me ;  but 
Madame  Fosse  soon  ran  up  the  staircase,  four  steps  at  a  time, 
until  she  was  quite  out  of  breath,  and  I  still  was  the  theme  of  con- 
versation. 

SCENE  THE  THIRD. 

THE   HUSBAND,   WIFE,   AND   SON. 

WIFE.  'Oh,  my  God  !  my  God  !  how  many  people  there  are  in 
the  street.  Ah,  they  say  fine  things  about  M.  Vidocq ;  they  talk 
much,  and  all  sorts  of  things.  However,  there  must  be  some  of  it 
true ;  never  so  much  smoke  without  some  fire.  I  knew  very  well 
that  this  Monsieur  Vidocq  was  a  proud  chap  for  a  master  tailor. 
His  arms  were  crossed  much  more  frequently  than  his  legs.' 

HUSBAND.   '  There  you  go,  like  all  the  rest,  with  your  supposi- 


246  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

tions ;  you  are  a  slanderous  woman  now.  Besides,  it  is  no  business 
of  ours  ;  and  suppose  that  it  did  concern  us,  of  what  do  they 
accuse  him,  what  do  they  chatter  about?  I  am  not  curious.' 

WIFE.  '  What  do  they  chatter  about  ?  Why,  the  very  thoughts 
•on't  make  me  tremble,  when  they  say  he  is  a  man  condemned  to 
death  for  having  killed  a  man.  I  wish  you  could  hear  the  little 
tailor  who  lives  lower  down.' 

HUSBAND.  '  Oh,  he  speaks  from  a  professional  jealousy.' 

WIFE.  'And  the  porteress  at  No.  27,  who  speaks  of  what  she 
knows  well,  says,  that  she  has  seen  him  go  out  every  evening  with 
a  thick  stick,  so  well  disguised  that  she  did  not  know  him.' 

HUSBAND.  '  The  porteress  says  that  ?' 

WIFE.  'And  that  he  went  to  lay  wait  for  the  people  in  the  Champs 
Elysees.' 

HUSBAND.  '  Are  you  growing  foolish  ?' 

WIFE.  'Ah,  is  that  foolish?  The  cook-shopman,  perhaps,  is 
foolish,  when  he  says  that  they  were  all  robbers  who  came  in,  and 
that  he  had  seen  M.  Vidocq  with  some  very  ill-looking  fellows.' 

HUSBAND.   '  Well,  who  had  ill  looks  after ' 

WIFE.  '"After  all,  he  is,"  said  the  commissary  to  the  grocer, 
"a  worthless  man  ;"  and  worse  than  that,  for  he  added  that  he  was 
a  vile  criminal,  and  justice  could  not  get  hold  of  him.' 

HUSBAND.  '  And  you  talk  nonsense  ;  you  believe  the  commis- 
sary because  he  is  beating  up  our  quarters ;  but  I  will  never  be 
persuaded  that  M.  Vidocq  is  a  dishonest  man.  I  think,  on  the 
other  hand,  that  he  is  a  good  fellow — a  punctual  man.  Besides, 
whatever  he  may  be,  it  is  no  business  of  ours ;  let  us  meddle  with 
our  own  affairs,  and  time  wags  onward — we  must  to  work ;  come, 
quickly,  to  work,  to  work.' 

The  sitting  was  adjourned;  father,  mother,  son,  and  little 
daughter — all  the  Fosse  family — went  away,  and  I  remained  locked 
up,  reflecting  on  the  perfidious  insinuations  of  the  police,  who,  to 
deprive  me  of  the  aid  of  my  neighbours,  represented  me  as  an 
infamous  villain.  I  have  often  seen,  subsequently,  this  species  of 
tactics  employed,  the  success  of  which  is  always  founded  on  atro- 
cious calumnies,  and  measures  revolting  because  unjust ;  clumsy, 
because  they  produce  an  effect  entirely  contrary  to  that  which  is 
expected;  for  those  persons  who  would  exert  themselves  personally 
in  the  apprehension  of  a  thief,  are  prevented  from  fear  of  struggling 
with  a  man,  whom  the  feeling  of  crime  and  the  prospect  of  a 
scaffold  drive  probably  to  despair. 

I  had  been  shut  up  for  two  hours  ;  there  was  no  noise  either  in 
the  house  or  in  the  street,  and  the  groups  had  dispersed  ;  I  was 
beginning  to  take  courage,  when  I  heard  a  key  thrust  into  the  lock, 


THE  FOSSA  FAMILY.  24? 

and  whilst  I  again  squatted  beneath  the  coverlid,  the  father,  mother, 
son,  and  daughter  Fosse,  entered. 

The  father  and  son  were  quarrelling,  and  by  the  interference  of 
the  mother  I  had  no  doubt  but  blows  would  arise,  when,  throwing 
aside  the  tattered  curtains,  I  made  my  appearance  in  the  midst  of 
the  astonished  family.  It  may  be  imagined  how  much  the  good 
folks  were  surprised.  Whilst  they  were  looking  at  me  without 
saying  a  word,  I  told  them  as  briefly  as  possible  how  I  had  got 
amongst  them ;  how  I  had  concealed  myself  under  the  mattress, 
etc.  The  husband  and  wife  were  astonished  that  I  had  not  been 
stifled  in  my  place  of  concealment ;  they  pitied  me,  and  with  a 
cordiality  not  uncommon  amongst  people  of  their  class,  offered  me 
refreshments,  which  were  necessary  after  so  painful  a  morning. 

It  may  be  supposed  that  I  was  on  thorns  during  the  progress  of 
the  whole  affair ;  I  perspired  copiously ;  at  any  other  moment  I 
should  have  been  amused  ;  but  when  I  reflected  on  the  inevitable 
results  of  a  discovery,  none  less  than  myself  could  appreciate  the 
burlesque  of  my  situation. 

Aftc  the  reception  afforded  me  by  the  Fosse'  family,  it  was  pro- 
bable that  I  should  have  no  jeason  to  repent  of  having  waited 
patiently  for  results.  However,  I  was  not  yet  fully  assured :  this 
family  was  not  well  off;  and  it  might  happen  that  the  first  im- 
pression of  kindness  and  compassion  which  the  most  perverse 
persons  sometimes  evince  would  give  place  to  the  hope  of  obtain- 
ing some  reward  by  surrendering  me  to  the  police ;  and  then, 
supposing  my  hosts  to  be  what  is  called  *  staunch,'  yet  an  indiscreet 
expression  might  betray  me.  Without  being  endowed  with  much 
penetration,  Fosse'  guessed  the  secret  of  my  uneasiness,  which  he 
succeeded  in  dissipating  by  protestations  too  sincere  to  be 
doubted. 

He  undertook  to  watch  over  my  safety,  and  began  by  disclaim- 
ing any  return  for  his  kindness ;  and  then  informed  me  that  the 
police  agents  had  fixed  themselves  in  the  house  and  the  adjoining 
streets,  and  intended  to  pay  a  second  visit  to  all  the  lodgers  of  the 
house.  On  these  statements  I  judged  that  it  was  imperative  on 
me  to  get  away,  for  they  would  doubtlessly  this  time  ransack  all 
the  apartments. 

The  Fosse'  family,  like  many  other  of  the  work-people  of  Paris, 
used  to  sup  at  a  wine-shop  in  the  vicinity,  where  they  carried  their 
provisions,  and  it  was  agreed  that  I  should  seize  on  that  moment 
to  go  out  with  them.  Till  night  I  had  no  time  to  form  my  plans,  and 
was  first  occupied  with  thinking  how  I  should  obtain  intelligence 
of  Annette,  when  Fosse  undertook  this  for  me.  It  would  have 
been  the  height  of  imprudence  to  have  communicated  directly  with 


248  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

her,  and  he  thus  contrived  it.  He  went  into  the  Rue  de  Gram- 
mont,  where  he  brought  a  pie,  into  which  he  introduced  the  note 
that  follows : — 

'  I  am  in  safety.  Be  careful  of  yourself,  and  trust  no  one.  Do 
not  attend  to  promises  from  persons  who  have  neither  the  intention 
nor  the  power  of  serving  you.  Confine  yourself  to  these  four  words  : 
"  I  do  not  know.  "  Play  the  fool,  which  will  be  the  best  proof 
of  your  sense.  I  cannot  meet  you  ;  but  when  you  go  out,  always 
go  through  the  Rue  St.  Martin  and  the  Boulevards.  Mind,  do  not 
return ;  I  will  answer  for  all.' 

The  pie,  intrusted  to  a  messenger  of  the  Place  Vendome,  and 
addressed  to  Madame  Vidocq,  fell,  as  I  had  foreseen,  into  the 
hands  of  the  agents,  who  allowed  it  to  be  delivered,  after  having 
read  the  despatch  ;  and  thus  I  attained  two  ends  at  once,  that  of 
deceiving  them,  by  persuading  them  that  I  was  not  in  that  quarter, 
and  that  of  assuring  Annette  that  I  was  out  of  danger.  My  expe- 
dient succeeded,  and  I  was  more  calm  in  making  preparations  for 
my  retreat.  Some  money,  which  I  had  snatched  from  my  night- 
table,  served  to  procure  me  pantaloons,  stockings,  and  shoes,  a 
frock,  and  a  blue  cotton  cap,  intended  to  complete  my  disguise.  When 
supper-hour  came,  I  left  the  room  with  all  the  family,  carrying  on 
my  head,  as  a  precaution,  a  large  dish  of  haricot  mutton,  the  ap- 
petizing fumes  of  which  sufficiently  explained  the  intent  of  our 
excursion.  My  heart  did  not  beat  less  anxiously  when  I  met,  face 
to  face  on  the  second  floor,  a  police-officer,  whom  I  did  not  at  first 
perceive,  as  he  was  ensconced  in  a  corner.  '  Put  out  your  candle,' 
cried  he  abruptly  to  Fosse.  '  Why  ?'  replied  he,  who  had  only 
taken  a  light  that  it  might  not  awaken  suspicion.  '  Go  along,  and 
ask  no  questions/  said  the  fellow,  blowing  out  the  candle  himself. 
I  could  have  hugged  him  !  In  the  passage  we  met  several  of  his 
comrades,  who,  more  polite  than  he,  made  way  for  us  to  pass.  At 
length  we  got  out,  and  the  moment  we  turned  the  angle  of  the 
street,  Fosse  took  the  dish  from  me,  and  we  parted.  That  I  might 
not  attract  attention,  I  walked  very  slowly  to  the  Rue  des  Fountains  ; 
but  when  once  there,  I  did  not  amuse  myself,  as  the  Germans  say, 
in  counting  my  buttons,  but  directed  my  steps  towards  the  Boule- 
vard of  the  Temple,  and  running  rapidly,  reached  the  Rue  de 
Bondy,  without  thinking  of  asking  where  I  was. 

However,  it  was  not  enough  to  have  escaped  a  first  pursuit ;  for 
doubtless  other  searches  more  active  would  be  instituted.  It  was 
necessary  to  mislead  the  police,  whose  numerous  bloodhounds,  ac- 
cording to  custom,  would  leave  all  other  business,  and  occupy 
themselves  solely  in  hunting  for  me.  At  this  juncture  1  resolved 
to  make  use  of  those  persons  for  my  safety  whom  I  considered  as 


THE  CHEVALIERS.  249 

my  denouncers.  These  were  the  Chevaliers,  whom  I  had  seen  on 
the  previous  evening,  and  who  in  conversation  had  dropped  some 
of  those  words  which  make  no  impression  at  the  time,  but  which 
we  reflect  upon  afterwards.  Convinced  that  I  had  no  terms  to 
keep  henceforward  with  these  wretched  beings,  I  determined  to 
avenge  myself  on  them,  whilst  I  compelled  them  to  refund  all  that 
I  could  enforce  from  them.  It  was  on  a  tacit  understanding  that 
I  had  obliged  them  ;  and  they  had  violated  the  faith  of  treaties, 
even  against  their  own  interest ;  they  had  done  wrong ;  and  I  in- 
tended to  punish  them  for  having  mistaken  their  own  interest. 

The  road  is  not  far  from  the  Boulevard  to  the  Rue  de  1'  Echi- 
quier,  and  I  fell  like  a  bomb-shell  on  Chevalier's  domicile,  whose 
surprise  at  seeing  me  at  liberty  confirmed  my  suspicions.  He  pre- 
tended at  first  an  excuse  for  going  out ;  but  double-locking  the 
door,  and  putting  the  key  in  my  pocket,  I  seized  on  a  knife  lying 
on  the  table,  and  told  my  brother-in-law  that  if  he  uttered  a  cry  it 
was  all  over  with  him  and  his  family.  This  threat  could  not  fail 
to  produce  the  due  effect :  I  was  with  people  who  knew  me,  and 
who  feared  the  violence  of  my  despair.  The  women  were  more 
dead  than  aTive,  and  Chevalier,  petrified  and  motionless  as  the 
stone-vessel  on  which  he  leant,  asked  me,  with  a  faint  voice,  what  I 
wanted  from  him  ?  '  You  shall  know/  answered  I. 

I  began  by  asking  for  a  complete  suit  of  clothes,  with  which  I 
had  provided  him  the  month  previous,  and  he  gave  it  to  me  :  I 
made  him  also  give  me  a  shirt,  boots,  and  a  hat ;  all  of  which  having 
been  purchased  with  my  means,  my  demand  was  only  for  restitu- 
tion. Chevalier  did  all  this  with  a  stern  look,  and  I  thought  I  read 
in  his  eyes  the  meditation  of  some  project ;  it  might  be  that  he  in- 
tended to  let  his  neighbours  know  by  some  means  the  embarrass- 
ment into  which  my  presence  threw  him,  and  prudence  demanded 
that  I  should  insure  a  retreat  in  case  of  a  nocturnal  visit.  A  window 
looking  on  a  garden  was  closed  by  two  iron  bars  :  I  ordered 
Chevalier  to  take  one  of  them  out ;  and  as,  in  spite  of  my  directions, 
he  was  exceedingly  awkward  about  it,  I  took  the  work  in  hand 
myself,  without  his  perceiving  that  I  had  laid  down  the  knife  which 
had  inspired  him  with  so  much  fear.  The  operation  ended,  I 
again  took  up  the  weapon  :  'And  now,'  said  I  to  him  and  the 
terrified  women,  '  you  may  go- to  bed.'  As  for  me,  I  was  hardly  in- 
clined to  sleep,  and  threw  myself  into  a  chair,  where  I  passed  a 
very  agitated  night.  All  the  vicissitudes  of  my  life  passed  in  review 
before  me,  and  I  did  not  doubt  that  a  curse  hung  over  me  :  in  vain 
did  I  fly  from  crime,  crime  came  to  seek  me ;  and  this  fatality, 
against  which  I  struggled  with  all  the  energy  of  my  character, 
seemed  to  delight  in  overturning  my  plans  of  conduct  in  incessantly 
placing  me  in  contact  with  infamy  and  imperious  necessity. 


250  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

At  break  of  day  I  roused  Chevalier,  and  asked  him  what  money 
he  had,  and  on  his  replying  that  he  had  only  a  few  pieces  of  money, 
I  desired  him  to  take  four  silver  knives  and  forks,  which  1  had 
given  him,  to  take  his  permit  of  residence,  and  to  follow  me.  I 
had  no  need  of  him,  but  it  would  have  been  dangerous  to  leave 
him  at  home ;  for  he  might  have  informed  the  police,  and  directed 
them  on  my  route,  before  I  had  concerted  my  plans.  Chevalier 
obeyed,  and  I  was  not  very  fearful  of  the  women,  as  I  took  so 
precious  a  hostage  with  me  ;  and  as,  besides,  they  did  not  precisely 
partake  of  his  feelings.  I  contented  myself  on  going  out  by  double- 
locking  the  door,  and  we  reached  the  Champs  Elysees  by  the  most 
deserted  streets  of  the  capital,  even  in  daytime.  It  was  four  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  and  we  met  nobody.  I  carried  the  knives  and  forks, 
which  I  took  good  care  not  to  trust  to  my  companion,  as  I  wanted 
to  get  off  without  inconvenience  in  case  he  should  turn  upon  me 
or  create  a  disturbance.  Fortunately,  he  was  very  quiet,  for  I  had 
the  terrible  knife,  and  Chevalier,  who  never  reasoned,  felt  persuaded 
that  at  the  least  motion  he  should  make,  I  would  stab  him  to  the 
heart ;  and  this  salutary  dread,  which  he  felt  the  more  deeply  as  it 
was  not  undeserved,  kept  him  in  check. 

We  walked  for  some  time  in  the  environs,  and  Chevalier,  who 
did  not  foresee  how  this  was  to  end,  walked  mechanically  beside  me, 
like  one  bewildered  and  idiotic.  At  eight  o'clock  I  made  him  get 
into  a  coach,  and  conducted  him  to  the  passage  of  the  wood  of 
Boulogne,  where  he  pledged  in  my  presence,  and  under  his  own 
name,  the  four  knives  and  forks,  on  which  they  lent  him  a  hundred 
francs.  I  took  the  sum,  and,  satisfied  with  having  so  conveniently 
recovered  in  a  lump  what  he  had  extorted  from  me  in  detail,  I  got 
into  the  coach  with  him  once  more,  which  I  stopped  at  the  Place 
de  la  Concorde.  There  I  alighted,  after  having  given  him  this 
piece  of  advice — *  Mind  and  be  more  circumspect  than  ever ;  if  I 
am  arrested,  whoever  is  the  cause,  look  to  yourself.'  I  desired  the 
coachman  to  drive  on  to  Rue  de  1'Echiquier,  No.  23 ;  and  to  be 
sure  that  he  took  no  other  direction,  I  remained  for  a  short  time 
on  the  watch ;  and  then,  jumping  into  a  cabriolet,  I  went  to  the 
clothesman  of  the  Croix-Rouge,  who  gave  me  the  clothes  of  a 
workman  in  exchange  for  my  own.  In  this  new  costume  I  walked 
towards  the  Esplanade  des  Invalides,  to  learn  if  it  were  possible  to 
purchase  a  uniform  of  this  establishment  A  wooden-legged  man, 
whom  I  questioned,  directed  me  to  Rue  St.  Dominique,  where,  at 
a  broker's,  I  should  find  a  complete  outfit  This  broker  was,  it 
appeared,  a  chattering  fellow.  *  I  am  not  inquisitive,'  said  he — 
(that  is  the  preamble  to  all  impertinent  inquiries) — *  You  have  all 
your  limbs  ;  I  presume  the  uniform  is  not  for  yourself.' — '  It  is,'  said 


A  NEW  DISGUISE.  251 

I ;  and  as  he  testified  astonishment,  I  added  that  I  was  going  to 
act  in  a  play. — *  And  in  what  piece?' — '  In  1' Amour  Filial.' 

The  bargain  concluded,  I  immediately  set  out  for  Passy,  where, 
at  the  house  of  a  friend,  I  hastened  to  effect  my  metamorphosis. 
In  less  than  five  minutes  I  was  converted  into  the  most  maimed  of 
invalids  ;  my  arm,  laid  over  the  hollow  of  the  breast,  and  kept  close 
to  my  body  by  a  girth  and  the  waistband  of  my  breeches,  had  en- 
tirely disappeared  ;  some  ribands  introduced  into  the  upper  part  of 
one  of  the  sleevt  s,  the  end  of  which  was  hung  to  a  button  in  front, 
joined  a  stump  admirably  deceptive,  and  which  made  the  disguise 
most  efficient ;  a  dye  which  I  used  to  stain  my  hair  and  whiskers 
black,  perfected  my  disguise,  under  which  I  was  so  sure  of  mislead- 
ing the  physiognomical  knowledge  of  the  observers  in  the  quarter 
St.  Martin,  that  I  ventured  there  that  evening.  I  learnt  that  the 
police  not  only  still  kept  possession  of  my  abode,  but  were  making 
an  inventory  of  the  goods  and  furniture.  By  the  number  of  officers 
whom  I  saw  goinu;  and  coming  ir  was  easy  to  perceive  that  the 
search  was  prosecuted  with  a  renewal  of  activity  very  extraordinary 
at  this  period,  when  the  vigilant  administration  was  not  too  zealous 
unless  it  were  in  cases  of  political  arrests.  Alarmed  at  such  an 
appearance  of  investigation,  anyone  but  myself  would  have  judged 
it  prudent  to  leave  Paris  without  delay,  at  least  for  a  time.  It 
would  have  been  best,  perhaps,  to  allow  the  storm  to  blow  over ; 
but  I  could  not  resolve  on  forsaking  Annette  in  the  midst  of  her 
troubles,  caused  by  her  attachment  to  me.  At  this  time  she  must 
have  suffered  much  ;  shut  up  in  the  depot  of  the  prefecture,  she 
was  placed  in  solitary  confinement  for  twenty-five  days,  whence 
she  was  only  taken  to  be  threatened  with  being  left  to  rot  in  St. 
Lazare,  if  she  would  not  confess  the  place  of  my  retreat.  But  with 
a  dagger  at  her  breast,  Annette  would  not  have  betrayed  me.  It 
may  be  judged  how  deeply  I  was  grieved  to  learn  her  wretched 
situation  and  yet  be  unable  to  deliver  her.  As  soon  as  it  depended 
on  me,  I  hastened  to  aid  her.  A  friend  to  whom  I  had  lent  a  few 
hundred  francs,  having  returned  them  to  me,  I  begged  him  to 
retain  a  portion  of  the  sum ;  and  full  of  hope  that  the  term  of  her 
detention  would  soon  expire,  since  after  all,  they  had  only  to  re- 
proach her  with  having  lived  with  a  fugitive  galley-slave,  I  prepared 
to  quit  Paris,  determining,  if  she  was  not  set  at  liberty  before  my 
departure,  that  I  would  let  her  know,  by  some  means,  where  I  had 
betaken  myself. 

I  lodged  in  the  Rue  Tiquetonne,  at  the  house  of  a  currier, 
named  Bouhin,  who  undertook,  for  a  compensation,  to  get  for 
himself  a  passport  which  he  would  give  to  me.  We  were  exactly 
alike;  he,  like  me,  was  fair,  with  Sine  eyes,  coloured  complexion, 


252  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

and,  by  a  singular  chance,  had  on  his  upper  lip  a  slight  cicatrice. 
He  was,  however,  shorter  than  I  was,  and  to  increase  his  height  so 
as  to  reach  mine,  he  put  two  or  three  packs  of  cards  in  his  shoes. 
Bouhin  had  recourse  to  this  expedient ;  so  that,  although  I  could 
use  the  strange  faculty  I  had  of  reducing  my  height  four  or  five 
inches  at  pleasure,  the  passport  which  he  procured  did  not  need 
that  I  should  have  recourse  to  this  curtailment  of  my  fair  propor- 
tions. Provided  with  this,  I  was  congratulating  myself  on  a 
resemblance  which  insured  my  liberty,  when  Bouhin  (after  I  had 
been  at  his  house  eight  days)  confided  to  me  a  secret  which  made 
me  tremble.  He  was  a  forger  of  false  money,  and,  to  give  me  a 
sample  of  his  skill,  coined  in  my  presence  eight  five-franc  pieces, 
which  his  wife  passed  the  same  day.  It  may  be  believed  that  the 
confidence  of  Bouhin  alarmed  me. 

At  first  I  argued  that  actually  from  one  moment  to  another,  his 
passport  would  become  but  a  bad  recommendation  in  the  eyes  of 
the  gendarmes ;  for,  from  the  trade  he  carried  on,  Bouhin  must 
sooner  or  later  be  the  object  of  an  arrest ;  besides,  the  money 
I  had  given  him  was  but  a  rash  adventure,  and  it  must  be  confessed 
that  I  had  but  a  small  chance  of  advantage  in  impersonating  such 
a  character.  This  was  not  all  ;  considering  that  this  state  of 
suspicion,  which  in  the  opinion  of  the  judge  and  of  the  public  is 
always  inseparable  from  the  condition  of  a  fugitive  galley-slave, 
was  it  not  likely  that  if  Bouhin  was  apprehended  as  a  coiner,  I 
should  be  considered  as  his  accomplice  ?  Justice  has  committed 
many  errors !  Condemned  once,  though  innocent,  who  would 
answer  that  I  should  not  a  second  time  be  similarly  sentenced  ? 
The  crime  which  had  been  wrongfully  imputed  to  me,  inasmuch 
as  it  pronounced  me  a  forger,  was  nominally  the  same  species  of 
crime  as  that  which  Bouhin  had  committed.  I  saw  myself  sink 
beneath  a  weight  of  presumptive  evidence  and  appearances,  such 
as,  perhaps,  my  counsel,  ashamed  of  undertaking  my  defence, 
would  conceive  necessary  to  impel  him  to  throw  me  on  the  pity  of 
my  juJges.  I  heard  my  death-sentence  pronounced.  My  fears 
redoubled  whtn  I  learnt  that  Bouhin  had  an  associate,  a  doctor, 
named  Terrier,  who  frequently  came  to  his  house.  This  man  had 
a  most  hanging  look,  and  it  seemed  to  me  that,  on  only  looking 
at  him,  all  the  police-officers  in  the  world  would  have  suspected 
and  watched  him.  Without  knowing  him,  I  should  have  thought 
that  in  following  him  it  would  be  impossible  not  to  attain  the 
knowledge  of  some  perpetrated  or  intended  crime.  In  a  word,  he 
was  a  bird  of  ill  omen  to  every  place  he  entered ;  and  persuaded 
that  his  visits  would  bring  mischief  to  the  house,  I  persuaded 
Bouhin  to  give  up  a  business  so  hazardous  as  that  he  followed ; 


THE  COIXERS.  253 

but  the  most  cogent  reasons  prevailed  not  with  him  ;  all  I  could 
obtain  by  dint  of  entreaty  was,  that  to  avoid  giving  rise  to  a  search 
which  would  certainly  betray  me  to  the  police,  he  would  suspend 
the  making  and  the  passing  of  money  as  long  as  I  should  remain 
with  him ;  but  this  promise  did  not  prevent  my  discovering  him 
two  days  afterwards  hard  at  work.  This  time  I  thought  it  best  to 
address  his  fellow-labourer,  to  whom  I  represented,  in  the  most 
glaring  colours,  the  dangers  which  he  ran.  *  I  see,'  answered  the 
doctor,  *  that  you  are  one  of  those  cowardly  fellows  of  whom  there 
are  so  great  a  number.  Suppose  we  are  detected,  what  then? 
There  are  many  others  who  make  their  exit  at  the  Place  de  Greve, 
and  we  are  not  there  yet ;  for  fifteen  years  I  have  used  these 
"  chamber  gentlemen  "  as  my  bankers,  and  nobody  has  yet  doubted 
me  ;  it  will  do  yet.  And  besides,  my  friend,'  he  added,  in  an 
ill-humoured  tone,  *  do  you  meddle  with  your  own  affairs.' 

After  the  turn  which  this  discussion  took,  I  saw  that  it  would 
be  superfluous  to  continue  it,  and  that  I  should  do  wisely  to  be  on 
my  guard,  feeling  still  more  the  necessity  of  quitting  Paris  as 
speedily  as  possible.  It  was  Tuesday,  and  I  purposed  starting  on 
the  following  day ;  but  having  learnt  that  Annette  would  be  set  at 
liberty  at  the  end  of  the  week,  I  proposed  deferring  my  departure 
until  her  release,  when  on  Friday,  about  three  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  I  heard  a  light  knock  at  the  street  door.  The  nature  of 
the  rap,  the  hour,  and  circumstance,  all  combined  to  make  me 
think  that  they  were  coming  to  take  me ;  and  saying  nothing  to 
Bouhin.  I  went  out  on  the  staircase,  and  getting  to  the  top,  I  got 
hold  of  the  gutter,  and  climbing  on  the  roof,  hastened  to  conceal 
myself  behind  a  stack  of  chimneys. 

My  presentiments  had  not  deceived  me,  and  in  an  instant  the 
house  was  filled  with  police-agents,  who  searched  everywhere. 
Surprised  at  not  finding  me,  and  doubtless  informed  by  my  clothes, 
left  near  my  bed,  that  I  had  escaped  in  my  shirt,  which  would  not 
allow  me  to  go  far,  they  imagined  that  I  could  not  have  escaped 
by  the  usual  way.  For  want  of  cavaliers  to  send  in  pursuit  of  me, 
they  sent  for  some  bricklayers,  who  went  all  over  the  roof,  where  I 
was  found  and  seized,  without  the  nature  of  the  place  allowing 
me  to  offer  any  resistance,  which  could  only  have  been  done  at  the 
risk  of  a  most  perilous  leap.  Except  a  few  cuffs,  which  the  agents 
bestowed  on  me,  my  arrest  offered  nothing  remarkable.  Con- 
ducted to  the  prefecture,  I  was  interrogated  by  M.  Henry,  who, 
remembering  perfectly  the  offer  I  had  made  him  some  months 
previously,  promised  to  do  all  in  his  power  to  ease  my  situation ; 
but  still  I  was  taken  to  the  Force,  and  thence  to  Bicetre,  to  await 
the  departure  of  the  next  chain  of  galley-slaves. 


254  MEMOIRS  OF  VWOCQ. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

Plan  of  escape— My  agreement  with  the  police — Coco-Lacour — A  band  oi 
robbers — The  old  clothes-women  and  the  assassins. 

I  BEGAN  to  grow  wearied  of  escapes  and  the  sort  of  liberty  they 
procured  for  me ;  I  did  not  wish  to  return  to  the  Bagne ;  but  I 
preferred  a  residence  at  Toulon  to  that  in  Paris,  if  I  were  com- 
pelled to  submit  to  such  creatures  as  Chevalier,  Blondy,  etc.  I 
was  in  this  mood  in  the  midst  of  a  considerable  number  of  these 
supporters  of  the  galleys,  whom  1  had  had  but  too  many  oppor- 
tunities of  knowing,  when  several  of  them  proposed  that  I  should 
help  them  in  trying  for  a  run  through  the  court  of  the  Bons 
Pauvres.  At  any  other  time  the  project  would  have  made  me 
smile.  I  did  not  decline  it ;  but  I  studied  it  like  a  man  who  con- 
sidered localities,  and  so  as  to  preserve  for  myself  that  prepon- 
derance which  my  real  successes  procured  for  me,  and  those  which 
were  attributed  to  me — I  might  say  those  which  I  attributed  to 
myself;  for  as  soon  as  we  live  amongst  rogues,  there  is  always  an 
advantage  in  passing  for  the  most  wicked  and  the  most  clever ; 
and  such  was  my  well-established  reputation,  wherever  there  were 
four  prisoners,  at  least  three  had  heard  of  me ;  not  at  all  an  extra- 
ordinary thing,  for  there  were  galley-slaves  who  assumed  my  name. 
I  was  the  general  to  whom  all  the  deeds  of  his  soldiers  is  attributed; 
they  did  not  cite  the  places  I  had  taken  by  assault,  but  there  was 
no  gaoler  whose  vigilance  I  could  not  escape,  no  irons  that  I  could 
not  break  through,  no  wall  that  I  could  not  penetrate.  I  was  no 
less  famed  for  courage  and  skill,  and  it  was  the  general  opinion 
that  I  was  capable  of  any  deed  of  renown  in  case  of  need.  At 
Brest,  at  Toulon,  at  Rochfort,  in  fact  everywhere,  I  was  considered 
amongst  robbers  as  the  most  cunning  and  most  bold.  The  most 
villainous  sought  my  friendship,  because  they  thought  there  was  still 
something  to  be  learnt  from  me,  and  the  greatest  novices  collected 
my  very  words  as  instructions  from  which  they  could  gather  profit. 
At  Bicetre,  I  had  a  complete  court,  and  they  pressed  around  me, 
surrounded  me,  and  made  tenders  of  services  and  kind  offers,  and 
expressed  regards  of  which  it  would  be  difficult  to  form  an  idea. 
But  now,  this  prison  glory  was  hateful  to  me  ;  the  more  I  read  the 
souls  of  malefactors,  the  more  they  laid  themselves  open  to  me, 
the  more  I  pitied  society  for  having  nourished  in  its  bosom  suc'.i 
offspring.  I  no  longer  felt  that  sentiment  of  the  community 
of  misfortune  which  had  formerly  inspired  my  breast;  cruel 
experience  and  a  riper  age  had  convinced  me  of  the  necessity 
of  withdrawing  myself  from  these  brigands,  whose  society  I  loathed, 
and  whose  language  was  a.n  abomination  to  me,  Decided,  at  any 


A  POLICE  AGENCY.  255 

event,  to  take  part  against  them  for  the  interest  of  honest  men,  I 
wrote  to  M.  Henry  to  offer  my  services  afresh,  without  any  other 
condition  than  that  of  not  being  taken  back  to  the  Bagne,  resign- 
ing myself  to  finish  the  duration  of  my  sentence  in  any  prison  that 
might  be  selected. 

My  letter  pointed  out  so  fully  the  information  I  could  supply, 
that  M.  Henry  was  struck  with  it :  only  one  consideration  balanced 
with  him  ;  it  was  the  example  of  many  accused  or  condemned 
persons,  who,  having  engaged  to  guide  the  police  in  its  searches, 
had  only  given  but  trifling  information,  or  had  even  finished  them- 
selves by  being  detected  in  criminal  deeds.  To  this  powerful 
argument,  I  opposed  the  cause  of  my  condemnation,  the  regularity 
of  my  conduct  after  my  escapes,  the  constancy  of  my  endeavours 
to  procure  an  honourable  existence,  and  finally  I  produced  my 
correspondence,  my  books,  my  punctuality,  and  credit,  and  I 
called  for  the  testimony  of  all  persons  with  whom  I  had  transacted 
business,  and  particularly  of  my  creditors,  who  had  all  the  greatest 
confidence  in  me. 

These  facts  and  documents  militated  strongly  in  my  favour. 
M.  Henry  submitted  my  proposal  to  the  prefect  of  police,  M. 
Pasquier,  who  decided  on  granting  it.  After  a  residence  of  two 
months  at  Bicetre,  I  was  removed  to  the  Force  ;  and,  to  avoid 
suspicion,  it  was  stated  amongst  the  prisoners  that  I  was  kept 
back  in  consequence  of  being  implicated  in  a  very  bad  affair, 
which  was  to  be  inquired  into.  This  precaution,  joined  to  my 
renown,  put  me  entirely  in  good  odour.  Not  a  prisoner  dared 
breathe  a  doubt  of  the  gravity  of  the  charge  against  me.  Since  I 
had  shown  so  much  boldness  and  perseverance  to  escape  from  a 
sentence  of  eight  years  in  irons,  I  must  of  necessity  have  a  con- 
science charged  with  some  great  crime,  capable,  if  I  should  be 
discovered  as  the  author,  of  sending  me  to  the  scaffold  It  was 
then  whispered,  and  at  last  stated  openly  at  La  Force,  in  speaking 
of  me.  *  He  is  a  cut-throat !'  And  as,  in  the  place  where  I  was 
confined,  an  assassin  inspires  great  confidence,  I  took  care  not  to 
refute  an  error  so  useful  to  my  plans.  I  was  then  far  from  seeing 
hat  an  imposture,  which  I  allowed  freely  to  be  charged  upon  me, 
A'ould  be  thence  perpetuated  ;  and  that  one  day,  in  publishing  my 
Memoirs,  it  would  be  necessary  to  state  that  I  had  never  com- 
mitted murder. 

The  engagement  I  had  entered  into  was  not  so  easily  fulfilled 
as  may  be  supposed.  A  multitude  of  robbers  were  then  preying  on 
the  capital,  and  it  was  impossible  to  furnish  the  slightest  indication 
of  the  principal  of  them  ;  it  was  only  on  my  ancient  renown  that  I 
could  rely  for  gbtuining  any'  information  of  the  staff  of  these 


256  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

Bedouins  of  our  civilization  ;  it  availed  me,  I  will  not  say  beyond, 
but  equal  to  what  I  could  desire. 

At  this  period  there  was  in  Paris  a  band  of  fugitive  galley-slaves, 
who  daily  perpetrated  robberies,  without  any  Hope  being  enter- 
tained of  putting  a  termination  to  their  plunderings.  Many  of 
them  had  been  apprehended,  and  acquitted  for  want  of  evidence  ; 
obstinately  entrenched  in  absence  of  witnesses,  they  had  long 
braved  the  attempts  of  justice,  which  could  neither  oppose  to  them 
the  testimony  of  the  commission  of  crime,  nor  proofs  of  guilt.  To 
surprise  them  properly,  it  would  have  been  necessary  to  know 
their  domicile ;  and  they  were  so  well  concealed,  that  discovery 
seemed  impossible.  Amongst  them  was  one  named  France  (called 
Tormel),  who,  on  coming  to  La  Force,  had  nothing  more  urgent 
than  to  ask  me  for  ten  francs  to  pay  his  footing,  and  I  was  not 
inclined  to  refuse  his  demand  He  soon  came  to  join  me,  and 
feeling  obliged  to  me,  did  not  hesitate  to  give  me  his  confidence. 
At  the  time  of  his  arrest  he  had  concealed  two  notes  of  a  thousand 
francs  from  the  police,  which  he  gave  to  me,  begging  me  to  advance 
him  money,  from  time  to  time,  as  he  needed  it.  'You  do  not 
know  me,'  said  he,  '  but  these  bills  speak  for  me ;  I  trust  them  to 
you,  because  I  know  they  are  better  in  your  hands  than  in  mine ; 
some  time  or  other  we  will  change  them,  which  now  would  be 
difficult,  and  we  must  wait.'  I  agreed  with  France,  as  he  wished; 
I  promised  to  be  his  banker,  as  I  risked  nothing. 

Apprehended  for  a  violent  burglary  at  an  umbrella  shop  in  the 
passage  Feydeau,  France  had  been  often  interrogated,  and  con- 
stantly declared  that  he  had  no  residence.  However,  the  police 
had  learnt  that  he  had  an  abode ;  and  it  was  the  more  interesting 
to  learn  it,  as  it  would  lead  to  the  discovery  of  instruments  of 
robbery,  as  well  as  a  great  quantity  of  stolen  goods.  It  was  a 
detection  of  the  highest  importance,  since  it  would  adduce  most 
material  proofs.  M.  Henry  told  me  that  he  relied  on  me  for 
obtaining  this  information  ;  I  manoeuvred  accordingly,  and  soon 
learned  that  at  the  time  of  his  arrest  France  was  at  the  corner  of 
the  Rue  Montmartin  and  the  Rue  Notre  Dame  des  Victoires,  in  an 
apartment  let  by  a  female  receiver  of  stolen  goods,  named  Josephine 
Bertrand. 

These  proofs  were  positive,  but  it  was  difficult  to  make  use  of 
the  information  without  betraying  my  share  in  the  business  to 
France,  who,  having  only  confessed  to  me,  could  only  suspect  me 
of  betraying  him.  I,  however,  succeeded  ;  and  so  little  did  he 
suspect  that  I  had  abused  his  confidence,  that  he  told  me  all  his 
troubles,  in  proportion  as  the  plan  which  I  had  concerted  with  M. 
Henry  progressed.  Besides,  the  police  were  so  arranged,  that  they 


CONVICTION  OF  FRANCE.  257 

seemed  only  to  be  guided  by  chance,  and  thus  were  the  arrange- 
ments made. 

They  gained  over  to  their  interest  one  of  the  lodgers  of  the 
house  which  France  had  inhabited  ;  and  this  lodger  told  the 
landlord  that,  for  about  three  weeks,  no  movement  was  seen  in 
the  apartment  of  Madame  Bertrand;  and  this  awakened  and 
afforded  a  wide  field  for  conjecture.  It  was  remembered  that  a 
person  went  frequently  in  and  out  of  this  apartment ;  his  absence 
was  talked  of,  and  it  was  a  matter  of  astonishment  that  he  was 
not  seen :  the  word  disappearance  was  mentioned,  and  thence  the 
necessity  of  the  intervention  of  the  commissary:  then  theopening  of 
the  door  in  presence  of  witnesses  ;  then  the  discovery  of  a  great 
quantity  of  stolen  property  belonging  to  the  neigh txmrhood,  and 
many  of  the  instruments  made  use  of  to  consummate  these  rob- 
beries. The  next  inquiry  was,  what  had  become  of  Josephine 
Bertrand  ?  and  all  the  persons  were  visited  to  whom  she  had  re- 
ferred when  she  hired  the  apartments,  but  nothing  could  be  learnt 
of  this  woman  ;  only  that  a  girl,  named  Lambert,  who  had  suc- 
ceeded her  in  the  apartment  of  the  Rue  Montmartre,  had  just 
been  apprehended ;  and  as  this  girl  was  known  as  France's  mistress, 
it  was  conjectured  that  these  two  had  a  common  residence. 
France  was  in  consequence  conducted  to  the  spot,  and  recognised 
by  the  neighbours.  He  pretended  that  he  had  been  taken  by  sur- 
prise, and  that  they  were  mistaken,  but  the  jury  before  whom  he 
was  taken  decided  otherwise,  and  he  was  condemned  to  the  galleys 
for  eight  years. 

France  once  convicted,  it  was  easy  to  follow  up  the  traces  of 
his  comrades,  two  of  whom  were  named  Fossard  and  Legagneur. 
They  were  watched,  but  the  negligence  and  want  of  address  in 
the  officers  enabled  them  to  escape  the  pursuit  which  I  directed. 
The  former  was  a  man  the  more  dangerous,  as  he  was  very  skilful 
in  making  false  keys.  For  fifteen  months  he  seemed  to  defy  the 
police,  when  one  day  I  learnt  that  he  resided  with  a  hair-dresser 
in  the  Rue  du  Temple,  facing  the  common  sewer.  To  apprehend 
him  from  home  was  almost  impossible,  for  he  was  skilful  in  dis- 
guises, and  could  detect  an  officer  a  hundred  paces  off ;  on  the 
other  hand,  it  would  be  better  to  seize  him  in  the  midst  of  his  pro- 
fessional apparatus  and  the  produce  of  his  robberies.  But  the 
undertaking  presented  obstacles  :  Fossard  never  answered  when 
they  knocked  at  his  door,  and  it  was  most  likely  that  he  had  a 
means  of  egress,  and  facilities  for  getting  over  the  roofs.  It 
appeared  to  me,  that  the  only  mode  of  seizing  him  was  to  profit 
by  his  absence  and  hide  in  his  lodging.  M.  Henry  was  of  my 
opinion  ;  and  the  door  being  broken  open  in  the  presence  of  a 


258  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ, 

commissary,  three  agents  placed  themselves  in  a  closet  adjoining 
a  recess.  Nearly  seventy-two  hours  elapsed,  and  nobody  arrived ; 
at  the  end  of  the  third  day,  the  officers,  having  exhausted  their 
provisions,  were  going  away,  when  they  heard  a  key  turn  in  the 
lock,  and  Fossard  entered.  Immediately  two  of  the  officers,  in 
conformity  with  their  instructions,  darted  from  the  closet  and  threw 
themselves  upon  him ;  but  Fossard,  arming  himself  with  a  knife 
which  they  had  left  on  the  table,  frightened  them  so,  that  they 
themselves  opened  the  door  which  their  comrade  had  closed;  and, 
having  turned  the  key  upon  them,  Fossard  quickly  descended  the 
staircase,  leaving  the  three  agents  all  the  leisure  necessary  for  draw- 
ing up  a  report,  in  which  nothing  was  wanting  except  the  circum- 
stance of  the  knife,  which  they  were  very  cautious  in  mentioning. 
Before  being  sent  to  the  Conciergerie,  France,  who  had  never 
ceased  to  think  me  staunch,  recommended  one  of  his  friends  to 
me,  named  Legagneur,  a  fugitive  galley-slave,  arrested  in  the  Rue 
de  la  Mortellerie,  at  the  moment  when  he  was  executing  a  robbery 
by  the  aid  of  false  keys ;  and  this  man,  deprived  of  all  resource  in 
consequence  of  the  departure  of  his  comrade,  was  thinking  of 
sending  for  the  money  which  he  had  deposited  with  a  receiver  of 
stolen  goods  in  the  Rue  St.  Dominique,  at  the  Gros-Caillou. 
Annette,  who  came  constantly  to  see  me  at  La  Force,  and  some- 
times ably  abetted  me  in  my  pursuits,  was  charged  with  the  com- 
mission ;  but  either  from  distrust,  or  a  desire  to  retain  it  for  him- 
self, the  receiver  received  the  messenger  very  ungraciously  ;  and 
as  she  insisted,  he  threatened  her  with  an  arrest.  Annette  returned 
to  tell  us  that  she  had  failed  in  her  errand.  At  this  information 
Legagneur  would  have  denounced  the  receiver,  but  that  was  only 
the  first  impulse  of  anger.  Growing  more  calm,  he  judged  it  most 
fitting  to  defer  his  vengeance ;  and,  moreover,  to  make  it  turn  to 
his  profit.  '  If  I  denounce  him,'  said  he  to  me,  '  not  only  shall  I 
get  nothing  by  it,  but  he  may  contrive  to  appear  not  at  all  in  fault. 
It  will  be  best  to  wait  until  I  get  out,  and  then  I  will  make  him 
squeak.'  Legagneur,  having  no  farther  hope  from  his  receiver, 
determined  to  write  to  two  accomplices,  Marguerit  and  Victor 
Desbois,  renowned  robbers.  Convinced  of  this  old  truism,  that 
small  presents  preserve  friendship,  in  exchange  for  the  aid  he  asked 
from  them,  he  sent  them  the  impressions  of  the  locks  which  he 
had  taken  for  his  own  private  use.  Legagneur  again  had  recourse 
to  the  mediation  of  Annette,  who  found  the  two  friends  at  the  Ru* 
Deux-Ponts,  on  a  wretched  ground-floor,  a  place  where  they  neve, 
met  without  taking  great  previous  precaution.  It  was  not  then 
residence.  Annette,  whom  I  had  desired  to  do  all  in  her  powei 
to  learn  this,  had  the  sense  not  to  lose  sight  of  them.  She  followed 


AN  AD  VENTURE.  259 

them  for  two  days,  under  different  disguises ;  and,  on  the  third, 
informed  me  that  they  slept  in  the  small  Rue  St.  Jean,  in  a  house 
with  gardens  behind.  M.  Henry,  to  whom  I  communicated  this 
circumstance,  arranged  all  the  necessary  measures  which  the 
nature  of  the  place  required  ;  but  his  officers  were  not  more 
courageous,  nor  more  skilful,  than  those  from  whom  Fossard  had 
e-caped.  The  two  robbers  saved  themselves  by  the  gardens,  and 
it  was  not  till  some  time  afterwards  that  they  were  apprehended  in 
the  Rue  St.  Hyacinthe  St.  Michel. 

Legagneur  having  been  in  his  turn  conducted  to  the  Con- 
ciergerie,  was  replaced  in  my  room  by  the  son  of  a  vintner  at  Ver- 
sailles, named  Robin,  who,  united  with  the  thieves  of  the  capital, 
told  me,  in  our  conversations,  their  arrangements,  as  well  concern- 
ing all  that  had  been  done,  as  of  their  present  state  and  intended 
plans.  He  it  was  who  pointed  out  to  me  the  prisoner  Mardargent 
as  a  fugitive  galley-slave,  whilst  he  was  only  detained  in  custody  as 
a  deserter ;  for  this  latter  crime  he  had  been  sentenced  to  twenty- 
four  years'  labour  at  the  galleys :  he  had  passed  some  time  in  the 
Bagne ;  and  by  the  help  of  my  notes  and  recollections,  we  were 
soon  excellent  friends  :  he  fancied  (and  he  was  not  mistaken)  that 
I  should  be  delighted  to  meet  again  my  old  companions  in  mis- 
fortune :  he  pointed  out  several  amongst  the  prisoners,  and  I  was 
fortunate  enough  to  send  back  to  the  galleys  a  considerable 
number  of  those  individuals  whom  justice,  for  want  of  the  neces- 
sary proofs  for  their  conviction,  might  have  let  loose  upon  society. 

Never  had  any  period  been  marked  with  more  important  dis- 
coveries than  that  which  ushered  in  my  debut  in  the  service  of  the 
police ;  although  scarcely  enrolled  in  this  administration,  I  had 
already  done  much  for  the  safety  of  the  capital,  and  even  for  the 
whole  of  France.  Were  I  to  relate  half  my  successes  in  my  new 
department,  my  reader's  patience -would  be  exhausted;  I  will 
simply  make  mention  of  an  adventure  which  occurred  a  few 
months  before  I  quitted  the  prison,  and  which  deserves  to  be 
rescued  from  the  general  oblivion. 

One  afternoon  a  tumult  arose  in  the  court,  which  terminated  in 
a  violent  pugilistic  combat ;  at  this  hour  in  the  day  such  occur- 
rences were  very  frequent.  The  two  champions  were  Blignon 
and  Charpentier  (called  Chante  a  1'heure).  A  violent  quarrel  had 
arisen  between  them  ;  when  the  action  had  ceased,  Chante  & 
1'heure,  covered  with  contusions,  entered  the  drinking-shop  to  have 
his  bruises  fomented.  I  was  there  engaged  at  my  game  of  piquet. 
Chante  \  1'heure,  irritated  with  his  defeat,  was  no  longer  master  of 
himself,  and  as  the  brandy  he  had  called  for  to  wash  his  hurts 
found  its  ways  almost  unconsciously  to  his  mouth  instead,  he  t^ 

17— a 


260  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

came  proportionably  energetic ;  until  at  last  his  mind  could  no 
longer  contain  the  angry  burst  of  his  feelings.  '  My  good  friend,' 
said  he  to  me,  '  (for  you  are  my  very  good  friend)  do  you  see  how 
this  beggar  of  a  Blignon  has  served  me  ?  But  he  shall  not  go  off 
scot-free  !' 

*  Oh,  never  heed  him/  I  replied  ;  *  he  is  stronger  than  you,  and 
you  must  mind  what  you  are  about.    Do  you  wish  to  be  half  killed 
a  second  time?' 

'  Oh,  that  is  not  what  I  mean.  If  I  choose,  I  can  put  a  stop  to 
his  beating  me,  or  any  one  else  again.  I  know  what  I  know  !' 

*  Well,  and  what  do  you  know  ?'  cried  I,  struck  by  the  tone  in 
which  he  pronounced  these  last  words. 

'  Yes,  yes,'  answered  Chante  a  1'heure,  highly  exasperated  ;  '  he 
has  done  well  in  driving  me  to  this  :  I  have  only  to  blab,  and  his 
businesses  settled.' 

*  Nonsense ;  hold  your  tongue/  said  I,  affecting  not  to  believe 
him  :  *  you  are  both  birds  of  a  feather.     When  you  owe  anyone  a 
spite,  you  have  only  to  blow  at  his  head,  and  he  would  instantly 
fall.' 

'You  think  so,  do  you?'  said  Chante  a  1'heure,  striking  the 
table.  '  Suppose  I  told  you  that  he  had  slit  a  woman's  weasand  !' 

'Not  so  loud,  Chante  a  1'heure;  not  so  loud,'  said  I,  putting 
my  finger  significantly  on  my  lips.  'You  know  very  well  that  at 
Lorcefe'e  (La  Force)  walls  have  ears ;  and  you  must  not  turn  nose 
against  a  comrade.' 

'  What  do  you  call  turning  nose  ?'  replied  he,  the  more  irritated 
in  proportion  as  I  feigned  a  wish  to  stop  him  from  speaking ; 
'  when  I  tell  you  that  it  only  depends  on  me  to  split  upon  him  in 
another  case.' 

'That  is  all  very  well,'  I  replied  ;  'but  to  bring  a  man  before 
the  big  wigs,  we  must  have  proofs !' 

'  Proofs  !  Does  the  devil's  child  ever  want  them  ?  Listen. 
You  know  the  little  shopkeeper  who  lives  near  the  Pont  Notre 
Dame  ?' 

'An  old  procuress,  mistress  of  Chatonnet,  and  wife  of  the 
hump-backed  man  ?' 

'The  same.  Well,  three  months  ago,  as  Blignon  and  I  were 
blowing  a  cloud  quietly  in  a  boozing  ken  of  the  Rue  Planche- 
Mibray,  she  came  there  to  us.  "  There's  swag  for  you,  my  lads," 
said  she,  "  not  far  off,  in  the  Rue  de  la  Sonnerie  !  You  are  boys 
of  mettle,  and  I  will  put  you  on  the  lay.  An  old  dowager  who 
has  been  pocketing  lots  of  blunt,  a  few  days  since  received  fifteen 
or  twenty  thousand  francs,  in  notes  or  gold ;  she  often  comes 
home  in  the  darkey,  and  you  must  slit  her  windpipe;  and  when 


MURDER.  261 

you  have  prigged  the  chink,  fling  her  into  the  river.*1  At  first  we 
did  not  relish  the  proposition,  and  would  not  hear  of  it,  as  we 
never  cared  to  commit  a  murder  ;  but  the  old  hag  so  pestered  us 
by  telling  us  that  she  was  well  feathered,  and  that  there  was  no 
harm  in  doing  for  an  old  woman,  that  we  agreed  to  it.  It  was 
settled  that  the  procuress  should  give  us  notice  of  the  precise 
time  and  hour.  However,  I  felt  very  I  don't-know-how-ish  about 
it ;  because  you  see,  when  you  are  not  used  to  a  job  of  the  kind, 
you  feel  queerish  a  bit.  But  never  mind,  all  was  settled  ;  when 
next  morning,  at  the  Quatre-Chemine'es,  near  Sevres,  we  met  with 
Voivenel  and  another  pal.  Blignon  told  the  business  to  them,  at 
the  same  time  stating  his  objection  to  the  murder.  They  there- 
upon proposed  to  give  us  a  hand  if  we  chose.  "  Agreed,"  replied 
Blignon  :  "  where  there  is  enough  for  two,  there  is  enough  for  four  :" 
thus  we  settled  it,  and  they  were  to  be  in  the  rig  with  us.  From 
that  time  Voivenel's  pal  never  let  us  rest,  and  was  impatient  for 
the  arrival  of  the  moment  At  length  the  old  mother  Murder- 
love  told  us  all  was  ready.  It  was  a  thick  fog  on  the  night  of  the 
thirtieth  of  December.  "  Now's  the  time  !"  said  Blignon.  Believe 
me  or  not,  as  you  like  ;  but  on  the  word  of  a  thief  I  would  have 
backed  out,  but  I  could  not ;  I  was  drawn  on,  and  dogged  the  old 
woman  with  the  others  ;  and,  in  the  evening,  when,  having,  as  we 
knew,  received  a  considerable  sum,  she  was  returning  from  the 
house  of  M.  Rousset,  a  person  who  let  out  carriages,  in  the  Alley 
de  la  Pompe,  we  did  for  her.  It  was  Voivenel's  friend  who 
stabbed  her,  whilst  Blignon,  having  blinded  her  with  his  cloak, 
seized  her  from  behind.  I  was  the  only  one  who  did  not  dabble 
in  her  blood ;  but  I  saw  all,  for  I  was  put  on  the  look  out ;  and  I 
then  learnt,  and  saw,  and  heard  enough  to  give  that  scoundrel 
Blignon  his  passport  to  the  guillotine.' 

Chante  a  1'heure  then,  with  an  insensibility  which  exceeds  belief, 
detailed  to  me  all  the  minutest  circumstances  of  this  murder.  I 
heard  this  abominable  recital  to  the  close,  making  incredible 
efforts  to  conceal  my  indignation ;  for  every  word  which  he 
uttered  was  of  a  nature  to  make  the  hair  stand  on  end  of  even  the 
least  susceptible  person.  When  the  villain  had  finished  retracing, 
with  a  horrible  fidelity,  the  agonies  of  his  victim,  I  urged  him 
anew  not  to  break  off  his  friendship  with  Blignon  :  but  at  the 
same  time  I  dexterously  threw  oil  on  the  fire  I  appeared  solicitous 
to  extinguish.  My  plan  was  to  lead  Chante  k  1'heure  to  make 
a  public  confession  of  the  horrible  revelation  to  which  rage  and 
revenge  had  spurred  him  oa  I  was  farther  desirous  of  being 
enabled  to  furnish  justice  with  those  means  of  conviction  which 
would  be  necessary  to  punish  the  assassins.  Much  yet  remained 


262  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ, 

in  uncertainty ;  possibly,  after  all,  this  affair  was  merely  the  fruits 
of  an  over-heated  brain,  and  Chante  k  1'heure,  when  no  longer 
under  the  influence  of  wine  and  vengeance,  might  disavow  all 
recollection  of  it.  However  the  business  might  terminate,  I  lost 
no  time  in  despatching  to  M.  Henry  a  report,  in  which  I  ex- 
plained the  affair,  as  well  as  the  doubts  I  myself  entertained  of  its 
veracity  ;  he  was  not  long  in  replying  to  my  communication,  that 
the  crime  I  alluded  to  was  but  too  true.  M.  Henry  begged 
I  would  endeavour  to  procure  for  him  the  precise  account  of 
everything  which  had  preceded  and  followed  this  murder  ;  and  the 
very  next  day  my  plans  were  laid  to  obtain  them.  It  was  difficult 
to  procure  the  arrest  of  any  of  the  guilty  party,  without  their  sus- 
pecting the  hand  which  directed  the  blow ;  but  in  this  dilemma, 
as  well  as  in  many  others  in  which  I  had  been  placed,  chance 
came  to  my  assistance.  The  following  day  I  went  to  awaken 
Chante  a  1'heure,  who,  still  suffering  from  the  intemperance  of  the 
preceding  night,  was  unable  to  quit  his  bed ;  I  seated  myself 
beside  him,  and  began  to  speak  of  the  state  of  complete  intoxica- 
tion in  which  I  had  seen  him,  as  well  as  of  the  indiscreet  actions 
he  had  committed.  The  reproof  appeared  to  astonish  him  ;  but 
when  I  repeated  a  few  words  of  the  conversation  we  had  held 
together,  his  surprise  redoubled,  and  as  I  had  foreseen,  he 
protested  the  impossibility  of  his  having  used  such  language  ;  and 
whether  he  had  effectually  lost  his  recollection,  or  whether  he  mis- 
trusted me,  he  tried  hard  to  persuade  me  that  he  had  not  the 
slightest  remembrance  of  what  had  passed.  Whether  he  at  this 
moment  spoke  the  truth,  or  not,  I  profited  by  it  to  tell  him 
that  he  had  not  confined  his  confidential  communications  to  one 
alone,  but  had  spoken  of  all  the  circumstances  of  the  murder 
in  a  loud  tone,  in  the  presence  of  several  prisoners  who  were 
sitting  near  the  fire,  and  had  heard  all  that  had  passed  as  well  as 
myself.  'What  an  unlucky  fellow  I  am!'  cried  he,  with  every 
sign  of  sincere  distress.  '  What  have  I  done  ?  What  is  to  be 
done  to  extricate  myself  from  the  situation  in  which  it  places  me?' 
— *  Nothing  is  more  simple,'  said  I ;  'if  you  should  be  questioned 
as  to  the  scene  of  yesterday,  you  can  say,  "  Upon  my  word,  when 
I  have  taken  too  much  drink,  I  say  or  do  anything  :  and  if  I 
happen  to  have  a  spite  against  a  man,  I  do  not  know  what  I  might 
invent  about  him."  Chante  a  1'heure  took  all  this  for  genuine 
advice ;  but  on  the  same  morning,  a  man  named  Pinson,  who 
passed  for  a  great  sneak,  was  conducted  from  La  Force  to  the 
office  of  the  prefect ;  this  exchange  could  not  have  occurred  more 
opportunely  for  my  project,  and  I  hastened  to  acquaint  Chante  a 
1'heure  with  it,  adding  that  all  the  prisoners  believed  that  Pinson 


LIBERTY.  263 

was  only  removed  in  the  expectation  of  his  making  some  very  im- 
portant discoveries. 

At  this  intelligence  he  appeared  thunderstruck  :  'Was  he  one  of 
those  who  were  present  when  I  was  talking  the  other  night  ?' 
asked  he,  with  strong  anxiety.  I  replied  that  I  had  not  particularly 
observed  ;  he  then  communicated  to  me  more  frankly  his  fears, 
and  I  obtained  from  him  fresh  particulars,  which,  sent  off  without 
delay  to  M.  Henry,  caused  all  the  accomplices  in  this  murder  to 
fall  into  the  hands  of  justice ;  the  shopkeeper  and  her  husband 
wen:  of  the  number.  They  were  all  committed  to  solitary  con- 
finement ;  Blignon  and  Chante  k  1'heure  in  the  new  building,  the 
others  in  the  infirmary,  where  they  remained  a  very  long  time. 
The  public  authorities  had  inquired  into  it,  and  I  no  longer 
troubled  myself  with  the  affair.  Nothing  material  resulted  from 
the  investigation,  which  had  been  badly  begun  from  the  first,  and 
finally  the  accused  were  pardoned.  My  abode  at  Bicetre  and  La 
Force  embraced  a  point  of  twenty-one  months,  during  which  not 
a  single  day  passed  without  my  rendering  some  important  service. 
I  believe  I  might  have  become  a  perpetual  spy,  so  far  was  every 
one  from  supposing  that  any  connivance  existed  between  the 
agents  of  the  public  authority  and  myself.  Even  the  porters  and 
keepers  were  in  ignorance  of  the  mission  with  which  I  was 
intrusted.  Adored  by  the  thieves,  esteemed  by  the  most  de- 
termined bandits,  I  could  always  rely  on  their  devotion  to  me , 
they  would  have  been  torn  to  pieces  in  my  service,  a  proof  of 
which  occurred  at  Bicetre,  where  Mardargent  had  several  severe 
battles  with  some  of  the  prisoners  who  had  dared  to  assert  that  I 
had  only  quitted  La  Force  to  serve  the  police.  Coco-Lacour  and 
Goreau,  prisoners  in  the  same  gaol  as  incorrigible  thieves,  with 
no  less  ardour  and  generous  intrepidity  undertook  my  defence. 

M.  Henry  did  not  allow  the  preTet  to  remain  in  ignorance 
of  the  numerous  discoveries  effected  by  my  sagacity.  This  func- 
tionary, to  whom  I  was  represented  as  a  person  on  whom  he 
might  depend,  consented  at  last  to  put  an  end  to  my  detention. 
Every  measure  was  taken  that  it  might  not  be  known  that  I  had 
recovered  my  liberty ;  they  sent  to  fetch  me  from  La  Force,  and 
carried  me  from  thence  without  neglecting  any  of  their  rigorous 
precautions.  My  handcuffs  were  replaced,  and  I  ascended  the 
wicker  car  with  the  private  understanding  that  I  was  to  escape  on 
the  road,  and  I  was  not  slow  in  profiting  by  this  permission.  The 
same  night  ^  flight  was  made  known,  and  all  the  police  weie  in 
search  of  me.  This  escape  caused  much  noise,  particularly  at 
La  Force,  where  my  friends  celebrated  it  with  rejoicings,  drank 
to  my  health,  and  wished  me  a  safe  and  prosperous  journey, 


264  MEMOIRS  OF  VWOC& 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

M.  Henry,  '  the  Evil  Spirit ' — Bertaux  and  Parisot — My  first  capture— Arrest 
of  Bouhin  and  Terrier. 

As  the  secret  agent  of  government,  I  had  duties  marked  out, 
and  the  kind  and  respectable  M.  Henry  took  upon  himself 
to  instruct  me  in  their  fulfilment ;  for  in  his  hands  were  intrusted 
nearly  the  entire  safety  of  the  capital :  to  prevent  crimes,  discover 
malefactors,  and  to  give  them  up  to  justice,  were  the  principal 
functions  confided  to  me.  By  thieves  M.  Henry  was  styled  the 
Evil  Spirit ;  and  well  did  he  merit  the  surname,  for  with  him, 
cunning  and  suavity  of  manners  were  so  conjoined  as  seldom  to 
fail  in  their  purpose.  Among  the  coadjutors  of  M.  Henry  was 
M.  Bertaux,  a  cross-examiner  of  great  merit  The  proofs  of 
his  talent  may  be  found  in  the  archives  of  the  court.  Next 
to  him,  I  have  great  pleasure  in  naming  M.  Parisot,  governor  of 
the  prisons.  'In  a  word,  MM.  Henry,  Bertaux,  and  Parisot 
formed  a  veritable  triumvirate,  which  was  incessantly  conspiring 
against  the  perpetrators  of  all  manner  of  crimes,  to  extirpate 
rogues  from  Paris,  and  to  procure  for  the  inhabitants  of  this 
immense  city  a  perfect  security. 

So  soon  as  I  was  installed  in  my  new  office  of  secret  agent, 
I  commenced  my  rounds,  in  order  to  take  my  measures  well  for 
setting  effectually  to  work.  These  journeys,  which  occupied 
me  nearly  twenty  days,  furnished  me  with  many  useful  and 
important  observations,  but  as  yet  I  was  only  preparing  to  act,  and 
studying  my  ground. 

One  morning  I  was  hastily  summoned  to  attend  the  chief  of  the 
division.  The  matter  in  hand  was  to  discover  a  man  named 
Watrin,  accused  of  having  fabricated  and  put  in  circulation 
false  moi|ey  and  bank  notes.  The  inspectors  of  the  police 
had  already  arrested  Watrin,  but,  according  to  custom,  had 
allowed  him  to  escape.  M.  Henry  gave  me  every  direction 
'.vhich  he  deemed  likely  to  assist  me  in  the  search  after  him  ;  but 
unfortunately  he  had  only  gleaned  a  few  simple  particulars  of  his 
usual  habits  and  customary  haunts ;  every  place  he  was  known  to 
frequent  was  freely  pointed  out  to  me ;  but  it  was  not  very  likely 
he  would  be  found  in  those  resorts  which  prudence  would  call 
upon  him  carefully  to  avoid ;  there  remained,  therefore,  only  a 
chance  of  reaching  him  by  some  by-path.  When  I  learnt  that  he 
had  left  his  effects  in  a  furnished  house,  where  he  once  lodged, 
on  the  boulevard  of  Mont  Parnasse,  I  took  it  for  granted  that, 
sooner  or  later,  he  would  go  there  in  search  of  his  property ;  or  at 
least  that  he  would  send  some  person  to  fetch  it  from  thence ;  con- 


WATRIN.  265 

sequently,  I  directed  all  my  vigilance  to  this  spot ;  and  after 
having  reconnoitered  the  house,  I  lay  in  ambush  in  its  vicinity 
night  and  day,  in  order  to  keep  a  watchful  eye  upon  all  comers 
and  goers.  This  went  on  for  nearly  a  week,  when,  weary  of  not 
observing  anything,  I  determined  upon  engaging  the  master  of  the 
house  in  my  interest,  and  to  hire  an  apartment  of  him,  where  I 
accordingly  established  myself  with  Annette,  certain  that  my 
presence  could  give  rise  to  no  suspicion.  I  had  occupied  this 
post  for  about  fifteen  days,  when  one  evening,  at  eleven  o'clock, 
I  was  informed  that  VVatrin  had  just  come,  accompanied  by 
another  person.  Owing  to  a  slight  indisposition,  I  had  retired  to 
bed  earlier  than  usual ;  however,  at  this  news  I  rose  hastily,  and 
descended  the  staircase  by  four  stairs  at  a  time  :  but  whatever 
diligence  I  might  use,  I  was  only  just  in  time  to  catch  Watrin's 
companion ;  him  I  had  no  right  to  detain,  but  I  made  myself  sure 
that  I  might,  by  intimidation,  obtain  farther  particulars  from  him. 
I  therefore  seized  him,  threatened  him,  and  soon  drew  from  him  a 
confession  that  he  was  a  shoemaker,  and  that  Watrin  lived  with 
him,  No.  4,  Rue  des  Mauvais  Galons.  This  was  all  I  wanted  to 
know :  I  had  only  had  time  to  slip  an  old  great  coat  over 
my  shirt,  and  without  stopping  to  put  on  more  garments,  I  hurried 
on  to  the  place  thus  pointed  out  to  me.  I  reached  the  house  at 
the  very  instant  that  some  person  was  quitting  it :  persuaded  that 
it  was  Watrin,  I  attempted  to  seize  him  ;  he  escaped  from  me,  and 
I  darted  after  him  up  a  staircase  ;  but  at  the  moment  of  grasping 
him,  a  violent  blow,  which  struck  my  chest,  drove  me  down  twenty 
stairs.  I  sprung  forward  again,  and  that  so  quickly,  that  to  escape 
from  my  pursuit  he  was  compelled  to  return  into  the  house  through 
a  sash  window.  I  then  knocked  loudly  at  the  door,  summoning 
him  to  open  it  without  delay.  This  he  refused  to  do.  I  then  de- 
sired Annette  (who  had  followed  me)  to  go  in  search  of  the  guard, 
and  whilst  she  was  preparing  to  obey  me,  I  counterfeited  the  noise 
of  a  man  descending  the  stairs.  Watrin,  deceived  by  this  feint, 
\vas  anxious  to  satisfy  himself  whether  I  had  actually  gone,  and 
softly  put  his  head  out  of  window  to  observe  if  all  was  safe.  This 
was  exactly  what  I  wanted.  I  made  a  vigorous  dart  forwards,  and 
seized  him  by  the  hair  of  his  head  :  he  grasped  me  in  the  same 
manner,  and  a  desperate  struggle  took  place ;  jammed  against  the 
partition  wall  which  separated  us,  he  opposed  me  with  a  deter- 
mined resistance.  Nevertheless,  I  felt  that  he  was  growing 
weaker ;  I  collected  all  my  strength  for  a  last  effort ;  I  strained 
every  nerve,  and  drew  him  nearly  out  of  the  window  through 
which  we  were  struggling  :  one  more  trial  and  the  victory  was 
mine ;  but  in  the  earnestness  of  my  grasp  we  both  rolled  on  the 


266  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ, 

passage  floor,  on  to  which  I  had  pulled  him  :  to  rise,  snatch  from 
his  hands  the  shoemaker's  cutting-knife  with  which  he  had  armed 
himself,  to  bind  him,  and  lead  him  out  of  the  house,  was  the  work 
of  an  instant.  Accompanied  only  by  Annette,  I  conducted  him 
to  the  prefecture,  where  I  received  the  congratulations  first  of  M. 
Henry,  and  afterwards  those  of  the  prefect  of  police,  who  be- 
stowed on  me  a  pecuniary  recompense.  Watrin  was  a  man  of 
unusual  address ;  he  followed  a  coarse  clumsy  business,  and  yet 
he  had  given  himself  up  to  making  counterfeit  money,  which  re- 
quired extreme  delicacy  of  hand.  Condemned  to  death,  he  ob- 
tained a  reprieve  the  very  hour  that  was  destined  for  his  execution; 
the  scaffold  was  prepared,  he  was  taken  down  from  it,  and  the 
lovers  of  such  scenes  experienced  a  disappointment  All  Paris 
remembers  it.  A  report  was  in  circulation  that  he  was  about  to 
make  some  very  important  discoveries;  but  as  he  had  nothing  to 
reveal,  a  few  days  afterwards  he  underwent  his  sentence. 

Watrin  was  my  first  capture,  and  an  important  one  too  j  this 
successful  beginning  awoke  the  jealousy  of  the  peace-officers,  as 
well  as  those  under  my  orders  ;  all  were  exasperated  against  me, 
but  in  vain ;  they  could  not  forgive  me  for  being  more  successful 
than  themselves.  The  superiors,  on  the  contrary,  were  highly 
pleased  with  my  conduct,  and  I  redoubled  my  zeal  to  render 
myself  still  more  worthy  their  confidence. 

About  this  period  a  vast  number  of  counterfeit  five-franc  pieces 
had  got  into  general  circulation ;  several  of  them  were  shown  to 
me  ;  whilst  examining  them,  I  fancied  I  could  discover  the  work- 
manship of  Bouhin  (who  had  informed  against  me)  and  o"f  his 
friend,  Dr.  Terrier.  I  resolved  to  satisfy  my  mind  as  to  the  truth 
of  this  ;  and,  in  consequence  of  this  determination,  I  set  about 
watching  the  steps  of  these  two  individuals;  but,  as  I  durst  not 
follow  them  too  closely,  lest  they  might  recognise  me,  and  mis- 
trust my  observation,  it  was  difficult  for  me  to  obtain  the  intelli- 
gence I  wanted.  Nevertheless,  by  dint  of  unwearied  perseverance, 
I  arrived  at  the  certainty  of  my  not  having  mistaken  the  matter, 
and  the  two  coiners  were  arrested  in  the  very  act  of  fabricating 
their  base  coin  ;  they  were  shortly  after  condemned  and  executed 
for  it.  It  has  been  publicly  asserted,  in  consequence  of  a  report 
set  on  foot  by  the  inspectors  of  the  police,  that  Dr.  Terrier  had 
been  led  away  by  me,  and  that  I  had  in  a  manner  placed  in  his 
hands  the  instruments  of  his  crime. 

Let  the  reader  remember  the  reply  which  this  man  made  to 
me,  when,  at  Bouhin's  house,  I  sought  to  persuade  him  to 
renounce  his  guilty  industry,  and  he  will  judge  whether  Terrier 
was  a  man  to  allow  himself  to  be  drawn  away. 


ST.  G&RMAIN  AND  BOUDIN.  267 

CHAPTER    XXIII. 

St.  Germain  proposes  to  me  a  murder — The  plunderers — The  grandson  of 
Cartouche — Annette  again  aids  me — Attempt  to  rob  the  house  of  a  banker 
— I  am  said  to  be  killed — Arrest  of  St.  Germain  and  Boudin. 

IN  so  populous  a  capital  as  that  of  Paris,  there  are  usually  a  vast 
many  places  of  bad  resort,  at  which  assemble  persons  of  broken 
fortune  and  ruined  fame.  In  order  to  judge  of  them  under  my 
own  eye,  I  frequented  every  house  and  street  of  ill-fame,  some- 
times under  one  disguise  and  sometimes  under  another  ;  assuming, 
indeed,  all  those  rapid  changes  of  dress  and  manner  which  indi- 
cated a  person  desirous  of  concealing  himself  from  the  observation 
of  the  police,  till  the  rogues  and  thieves  whom  I  daily  met  there 
firmly  believed  me  to  be  one  of  themselves;  persuaded  of  my 
being  a  runaway,  they  would  have  been  cut  to  pieces  before  I 
should  have  been  taken  ;  for,  not  only  had  I  acquired  their  fullest 
confidence,  but  their  strongest  regard  ;  and  so  much  did  they 
respect  my  situation  as  a  fugitive  galley-slave,  that  they  would  not 
even  propose  to  me  to  join  in  any  of  their  daring  schemes,  lest  it 
might  compromise  my  safety.  All,  however,  did  not  exercise  this 
delicacy,  as  will  be  seen  hereafter.  Some  months  had  passed 
since  I  commenced  my  secret  investigations,  when  chance  threw 
in  my  way  St.  Germain,  whose  visits  had  so  often  rilled  me  with 
consternation.  He  had  with  him  a  person  named  Boudin,  whom 
I  had  formerly  seen  as  a  restaurateur  in  Paris,  in  the  Rue  dea 
Prouvaires,  and  of  whom  I  knew  no  more  than  that  trifling 
acquaintance  which  arose  from  my  occasionally  exchanging  my 
money  for  his  dinners.  He,  however,  seemed  easily  to  recollect 
me,  and,  addressing  me  with  a  bold  familiarity,  which  my  deter- 
mined coolness  seemed  unable  to  subdue,  'Pray,'  said  he,  '  have  I 
been  guilty  of  any  offence  towards  you,  that  you  seem  so  resolved 
upon  cutting  me  ?' — *  By  no  means,  sir,'  replied  I ;  '  but  I  have 
been  informed  that  you  have  been  in  the  service  of  the  police.' — 
*  Oh,  oh,  is  that  all  ?'  cried  he ;  '  never  mind  that,  my  boy  ; 
suppose  I  have,  what  then  ?  I  had  my  reasons  ;  and  when  I  tell 
you  what  they  were,  I  am  quite  sure  you  will  not  bear  me  any  ill- 
will  for  it.' — 'Come,  come,'  said  St.  Germain,  'I  must  have  you 
good  friends.  Boudin  is  an  excellent  fellow,  and  I  will  answer 
for  his  honour,  as  I  would  do  for  my  own.  Many  a  thing  happens 
in  life  we  should  never  have  dreamt  of,  and  if  Boudin  did  accept 
the  situation  you  mention,  it  was  but  to  save  his  brother ;  besides, 
you  must  feel  satisfied,  that  were  his  principles  such  as  a  gentle- 
man ought  not  to  possess,  why,  you  would  not  find  him  in  my 
company.'  I  was  much  amused  with  this  excellent  reasoning,  as 


268  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

well  as  with  the  pledge  given  for  Boudin's  good  faith  ;  h  »wever,  I 
no  longer  sought  to  avoid  the  conversation  of  Boudin.  It  was 
natural  enough  that  St.  Germain  should  relate  to  me  all  that  had 
happened  to  him  since  his  last  disappearance,  which  had  given 
me  such  pleasure. 

After  complimenting  me  on  my  flight,  he  informed  me  that 
after  my  arrest  he  had  recovered  his  employment,  which  he,  how- 
ever, was  not  fortunate  enough  to  keep  ;  he  lost  it  a  second  time, 
and  had  since  been  compelled  to  trust  to  his  wits  to  procure  a 
subsistence.  I  requested  he  would  tell  me  what  had  become  of 
Blondy  and  Deluc.  'What?'  said  he,  'the  two  who  slit  the 
waggoner's  throat?  Oh,  why  the  guillotine  settled  their  business 
at  Beauvais.'  When  I  learnt  that  these  two  villains  had  at  length 
reaped  the  just  reward  of  their  crimes,  I  experienced  but  one 
regret,  and  that  was,  that  the  heads  of  their  worthless  accomplices 
had  not  fallen  on  the  same  scaffold. 

After  we  had  sat  together  long  enough  to  empty  several  bottles 
of  wine,  we  separated.  At  parting,  St.  Germain,  having  observed 
that  I  was  but  meanly  clad,  inquired  what  I  was  doing,  and  as  I 
carelessly  answered  that  at  present  I  had  no  occupation,  he 
promised  to  do  his  best  for  me,  and  to  push  my  interest  the  first 
opportunity  that  offered  I  suggested  that,  as  I  very  rarely 
ventured  out  for  fear  of  being  arrested,  we  might  not  possibly 
meet  again  for  some  time.  'You  can  see  me  whenever  you 
choose,'  said  he ;  'I  shall  expect  that  you  will  call  on  me 
frequently.'  Upon  my  promise  to  do  so,  he  gave  me  his  address, 
without  once  thinking  of  asking  for  mine. 

St.  Germain  was  no  longer  an  object  of  such  excessive  terror  as 
formerly  in  my  eyes  ;  I  even  thought  it  my  interest  to  keep  him  in 
sight,  for  if  I  applied  myself  to  scrutinising  the  actions  of 
suspicious  persons,  who  better  than  he  called  for  the  most  vigilant 
attention  ?  In  a  word,  I  resolved  upon  purging  society  of  such  a 
monster.  Meanwhile,  I  waged  a  determined  war  with  all  the 
crowd  of  rogues  who  infested  the  capital.  About  this  time 
robberies  of  every  species  were  multiplying  to  a  frightful  extent ; 
nothing  was  talked  of  but  stolen  palisades,  out-houses  broken 
open,  roofs  stripped  of  their  lead;  more  than  twenty  reflecting 
lamps  were  successively  stolen  from  the  Rue  Fontaine  au  Roi, 
without  the  plunderers  being  detected.  For  a  whole  month  the 
inspectors  had  been  lying  in  wait  in  order  to  surprise  them,  and 
the  first  night  of  their  discontinuing  their  vigilance  the  same 
depredations  took  place.  In  this  state,  which  appeared  like 
setting  tho  police  at  defiance,  I  accepted  the  task  which  none 
seemed  aHe  to  accomplish,  and  in  a  very  short  time  I  was 


A  PROPOSAL  OF  MURDER.  269 

enabled  to  bring  the  whole  band  of  these  shameless  plunderers  to 
public  justice,  which  immediately  consigned  them  to  the  galleys. 

Each  day  increased  the  number  of  my  discoveries.  Of  the 
many  who  were  committed  to  prison,  there  were  none  who  did 
not  owe  their  arrest  to  me,  and  yet  not  one  of  them,  for  a  moment 
suspected  my  share  in  the  business.  I  managed  so  well,  that 
neither  within  nor  without  its  walls  had  the  slightest  suspicion 
transpired.  The  thieves  of  my  acquaintance  looked  upon  me  as 
their  best  friend  and  true  comrade ;  the  others  esteemed  them- 
selves happy  to  have  an  opportunity  of  initiating  me  in  their 
secrets,  whether  from  the  pleasure  of  conversing  with  me,  or  in  the 
hope  of  Benefiting  by  my  counsels.  It  was  principally  beyond 
the  barriers  that  I  met  with  these  unfortunate  beings.  One  day 
that  I  was  crossing  the  outer  Boulevards,  I  was  accosted  by  St. 
Germain,  who  was  still  accompanied  by  Boudin.  They  invited 
me  to  dinner.  I  accepted  the  proposition,  and  over  a  bottle  of 
wine  they  did  me  the  honour  to  propose  that  I  should  make  a 
third  in  an  intended  murder. 

The  matter  in  hand  was  to  despatch  two  old  men  who  lived 
together  in  the  house  which  Boudin  had  formerly  occupied  in  the 
Rue  des  Prouvaires.  Shuddering  at  the  confidence  placed  in 
me  by  these  villains,  I  yet  blessed  the  invisible  hand  which  had 
led  them  to  seek  my  aid.  At  first  I  affected  some  scruples  at 
entering  into  the  plot,  but  at  last  feigned  to  yield  to  their  lively 
and  pressing  solicitations,  and  it  was  agreed  that  we  should  wait  the 
favourable  moment  for  putting  into  execution  this  most  execrable 
project.  This  resolution  taken,  I  bade  farewell  to  St.  Germain 
and  his  companion,  and  (decided  upon  preventing  the  meditated 
crime)  hastened  to  carry  a  report  of  the  affair  to  M.  Henry,  who 
sent  me  without  loss  of  time  to  obtain  more  ample  details  of 
the  discovery  I  had  just  made  to  him.  His  intention  was  to 
satisfy  himself  whether  I  had  been  really  solicited  to  take  part 
in  it,  or  whether,  from  a  mistaken  devotion  to  the  cause  of  justice, 
I  had  endeavoured  to  instigate  those  unhappy  men  to  an  act 
which  would  render  them  amenable  to  it  I  protested  that  I  had 
adopted  no  such  expedient,  and  as  he  discovered  marks  of  truth 
in  my  manner  and  declaration,  he  expressed  himself  satisfied.  He 
did  not,  however,  omit  to  impress  on  me  the  following  discourse 
upon  instigating  agents,  which  penetrated  my  very  heart.  Ah, 
why  was  it  not  also  heard  by  those  wretches  who  since  the  Revolu- 
tion have  made  so  many  victims  !  The  renewed  era  of  legitimacy 
would  not  then  in  some  circumstances  have  recalled  the  bloody 
days  of  another  epoch.  '  Remember  well,'  said  M.  Henry  to  me 
in  conclusion,  'remember  that  the  greatest  scourge  of  society  is 


270  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

he  who  urges  another  on  to  the  commission  of  evil.  Where  there 
are  no  instigators  to  bad  practices,  they  are  committed  only  by  the 
really  hardened,  because  they  alone  are  capable  of  conceiving  and 
executing  them.  Weak  beings  may  be  drawn  away  and  excited : 
to  precipitate  them  into  the  abyss,  it  frequently  requires  no  more 
than  to  call  to  your  aid  their  passions  or  self-love ;  but  he  who 
avails  himself  of  their  weakness  to  procure  their  destruction,  is 
more  than  a  monster— he  is  the  guilty  one,  and  it  is  on  his  head 
tl-.at  the  sword  of  justice  should  fall.  As  to  those  engaged  in  the 
police,  they  had  better  remain  for  ever  idle  than  create  matter  for 
employment. 

Although  this  lesson  was  not  required  in  my  case,  yet  I  thanked 
M.  Henry  for  it,  who  enjoined  me  not  to  lose  sight  of  the  two 
assassins,  and  to  use  every  means  in  my  power  to  prevent  their 
arriving  at  the  completion  of  their  diabolical  plan.  '  The  police,' 
said  he,  *  is  instituted  as  much  to  correct  and  punish  malefactors, 
as  to  prevent  their  committing  crimes ;  but  on  every  occasion  I 
would  wish  it  to  be  understood  that  we  hold  ourselves  under 
greater  obligations  to  that  person  who  prevents  one  crime,  than  to 
him  who  procures  the  punishment  of  many.'  Conformably  with 
these  instructions,  I  did  not  allow  a  single  day  to  pass  without 
seeing  St.  Germain  and  his  friend  Boudin.  As  the  blow  they 
meditated  was  to  procure  them  a  considerable  quantity  of  gold, 
I  concluded  that  I  might,  without  overacting  my  part,  affect  a 
degree  of  impatience  about  it.  '  Well,'  said  I  to  them  every  time 
we  met,  'and  when  is  this  famous  affair  to  take  place?' — 'When!' 
replied  St.  Germain;  'the  fruit  is  not  yet  ripe;  when  the  right 
time  comes,'  added  he,  pointing  to  Boudin,  '  my  friend  there  will 
let  you  know.'  Already  had  several  meetings  taken  place,  and  yet 
nothing  was  decidedly  arranged ;  once  more  I  hazarded  the  usual 
question.  '  Ah  !  ah  ! '  said  St.  Germain,  '  my  good  friend,  now  I 
can  satisfy  your  natural  curiosity ;  we  have  fixed  upon  to-morrow 
evening,  and  only  waited  for  you  to  deliberate  upon  the  best  way 
of  going  to  work.'  The  meeting  was  fixed  a  little  way  out  of  Paris. 
I  was  punctual  to  the  time  and  place,  nor  did  St.  Germain  keep 
me  waiting.  '  Hark  ye,'  said  he,  '  we  have  reflected  upon  this 
affair,  and  find  that  it  cannot  be  put  into  execution  for  the  present. 
We  have,  however,  another  to  propose  to  you ;  and  I  warn  you, 
you  must  say  at  once,  without  any  equivocation,  '  yes '  or  '  no.' 
Before  we  enter  upon  the  object  of  my  coming  hither,  it  is  but 
fair  I  should  let  you  into  a  little  confidential  story  respecting 
yourself,  which  was  told  to  me  by  one  Carre",  who  knew  you  at  La 
Force.  The  tale  runs,  that  you  only  escaped  its  walls  upon  con- 
dition of  serving  the  police  as  its  secret  agent !' 


A  CHANGE  OF  PLANS.  271 

At  the  words  *  secret  agent,'  a  feeling  almost  approaching; 
to  suffocation  stole  over  me,  but  I  quickly  rallied  upon  per- 
ceiving that,  however  true  the  report  might  be,  it  had  obtained 
but  little  faith  with  St.  Germain,  who  was  evidently  waiting  for 
my  explanation  or  denial  of  it,  without  once*  suspecting  its. 
reality.  My  ever-ready  genius  quickly  flew  to  my  aid,  and  with- 
out hesitation  I  replied,  'that  I  was  not  much  surprised  at  the 
charge,  and  for  the  simple  reason  that  I  myself  had  been  the 
first  to  set  the  rumour  afloat'  St.  Germain  stared  with  wonder. 
'My  good  fellow,'  said  I,  'you  are  well  aware  that  I  managed 
to  escape  from  the  police  whilst  they  were  transferring  me  from  La 
Force  to  Bicetre.  Well,  I  went  to  Paris  and  stayed  there  till 
I  could  go  elsewhere.  One  must  live,  you  know,  how  and 
where  one  can  Unfortunately,  I  am  still  compelled  to  play  at 
hide  and  seek,  and  it  is  only  by  assuming  a  variety  of  disguises 
that  I  dare  venture  abroad,  to  look  about  and  just  see  what  my 
old  friends  are  doing ;  but  in  spite  of  all  my  precautions,  I  live 
in  constant  dread  of  many  individuals,  whose  keen  eye  quickly 
penetrated  my  assumption  of  other  names  and  habits  than  my 
own ;  and  who,  having  formerly  been  upon  terms  of  familiarity 
with  me,  pestered  me  with  questions  I  had  no  other  means  of 
shaking  off,  by  insinuating  that  I  was  in  the  pay  of  the  police ; 
and  thus  I  obtained  the  double  advantage  of  evading  in  my 
character  of  "spy  "  both  their  suspicions  and  ill-will,  should  they 
feel  disposed  to  exercise  it  in  the  procuring  my  arrest.' 

'Enough — enough,'  interrupted  St.  Germain;  '  I  believe  you; 
and,  to  convince  you  of  the  unbroken  confidence  I  place 
in  you,  I  will  let  you  into  the  secret  of  our  plans  for  to-night. 
— At  the  corner  of  the  Rue  d'Enghein,  where  it  joins  the  Rue 
Hautville,  lives  a  banker,  whose  house  looks  out  upon  a  very 
extensive  garden;  a  circumstance  greatly  in  favour  both  of  our 
expedition  and  our  escape  after  its  completion.  This  same 
banker  is  now  absent,  and  the  cash-box,  in  which  is  a  consider- 
able sum  in  specie,  besides  bank-notes,  etc.,  is  only  guarded  by 
two  persons. — Well,  you  can  guess  the  rest.  We  mean  to  make 
it  our  own,  by  the  law  of  possession,  this  very  evening.  Three 
of  us  are  bound  by  oath  to  do  the  job,  which  will  turn  out  so 
profitably.  But  we  want  another;  and  now  that  you  have  cli  -.red 
your  character  and  given  scandal  the  lie,  you  shall  make  the  fourth. 
Come,  no  refusal ; — we  reckon  on  your  company  and  assistance, 
and  if  you  refuse  you  are  a  regular  set  down  sneak.' 

I  was  as  eager  in  accepting  the  invitation,  as  St.  Germain  could 
possibly  be  in  giving  it ;  both  Boudin  and  himself  seemed  much 
pleased  with  my  zeal.  Who  my  remaining  coadjutor  was  I  knew 


272  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

not,  but  my  surmises  on  the  subject  were  soon  settled  by  the 
arrival  of  a  man,  a  perfect  stranger  to  myself,  named  Debenne. 
He  was  the  driver  of  a  cabriolet,  the  father  of  a  large  family,  and 
a  man  who,  more  from  weak  than  bad  principles,  had  allowed 
himself  to  be  seduced  by  the  temptations  of  his  guilty  companions. 
Whilst  a  mixed  conversation  was  going  on  between  them,  my 
thoughts  were  busily  at  work  upon  the  best  method  of  causing 
them  to  be  taken  in  the  very  act  they  were  then  discussing.  What 
was  my  consternation  to  hear  St.  Germain,  at  the  moment  we  all 
rose  to  pay  our  score,  address  us  in  these  words : — 

*  My  friends,  when  a  man  runs  his  neck  into  the  compass  of  a 
halter,  it  behoves  him  to  keep  a  sharp  lookout.  We  have  this  day 
decided  upon  playing  a  dangerous,  but,  as  I  take  it,  a  sure  game ; 
and  in  order  that  the  chance  may  be  in  our  favour,  I  have  deter- 
mined upon  the  following  measure,  which  I  think  you  will -all 
approve.  About  midnight,  all  four  of  us  will  obtain  access  into 
the  house  in  question.  Boudin  and  myself  will  undertake  to 
manage  the  inside  work,  whilst  you  two  remain  in  the  garden* 
ready  to  second  us  in  case  of  surprise.  This  undertaking,  if 
successful,  will  furnish  us  with  the  means  of  living  at  our  ease  for 
some  time ;  but  it  concerns  our  mutual  safety,  that  we  should  not 
quit  each  other  till  the  hour  for  putting  our  plan  into  execution.' 

This  finale,  which  I  feigned  not  to  hear,  was  repeated  a  second 
time,  and  filled  me  with  a  thousand  fears  that  I  might  not  be  able 
to  withdraw  myself  from  the  affair,  as  I  had  intended.  What  was 
to  be  done  ?  St.  Germain  was  a  man  of  uncommon  daring,  eager 
for  money,  and  always  ready  to  purchase  it  either  with  his  own 
blood  or  that  of  others ;  however,  as  yet  it  was  but  ten  o'clock  in 
the  morning ;  I  hoped  that,  during  the  long  interval  between  that 
hour  and  midnight,  some  opportunity  would  present  itself  of 
dexterously  stealing  away  and  giving  information  to  the  police. 
Meanwhile,  1  made  not  the  slightest  objection  to  the  proposition  of 
St.  Germain,  which  was  indeed  the  best  pledge  we  could  separately 
have  of  the  good  faith  of  the  others.  When  he  perceived  that  we 
were  all  agreed,  St.  Germain,  who,  by  his  energy,  his  talents  for 
plotting  and  carrying  his  schemes  into  execution,  was  the  real  head 
of  the  conspiracy,  expressed  his  satisfaction,  and  added  farther — 
*  This  unanimity  is  what  I  like ;  and  I  beg  to  say,  that,  for  myself, 
1  will  leave  nothing  undone  to  merit  the  continuance  of  so  flatter- 
ing a  consent  to  my  wishes  and  opinions.' 

It  was  agreed  that  we  should  take  a  hackney-coach,  and  proceed 
together  to  his  house,  situate  in  the  Rue  St.  Antoine.  Arrived  there, 
we  ascended  into  his  chamber,  where  he  was  to  keep  us  under  lock 
and  key  until  the  instant  of  departure.  Confine^  between  four 


ANXIOUS  MOMENTS.  273 

walls,  in  close  converse  with  these  robbers.  I  knew  not  what  saint 
to  invoke,  or  what  pretext  to  invent,  to  effect  my  escape.  St. 
Germain  would  have  blown  out  my  brains  at  the  least  suspicion  , 
and  how  to  act  or  what  was  to  be  done,  I  knew  not  My  only  plan 
was  to  resign  myself  to  the  event,  be  it  what  it  might  ;  and  this 
determination  taken,  I  affected  to  busy  myself  with  the  preparations 
for  our  crime,  the  very  sight  of  which  redoubled  my  perplexity  and 
horror.  Pistols  were  laid  on  the  table,  in  order  to  have  the  charges 
drawn  and  to  be  properly  reloaded.  Whilst  they  underwent  a 
strict  scrutiny  St  Germain  remarked  a  pair  which  seemed  to  him 
no  longer  able  '  to  do  the  state  any  service  ;'  he  laid  them  aside — 
1  Here,'  said  he,  '  these  toothless  barkers  will  never  do  ;  whilst  the 
rest  of  you  are  loading  and  priming  your  batteries,  I  will  get  these 
changed  for  others  more  likely  to  aid  our  purpose.'  As  he  was 
preparing  to  quit  the  room,  I  bade  him  to  remember  that,  accord- 
ing to  our  contract,  none  of  us  could  quit  the  place  without  being 
accompanied  by  a  second.  *  Right — quite  right,'  replied  he  ;  *  I 
like  people  not  only  to  make,  but  to  keep  engagements ;  so  come 
with  me.'—'  But,'  said  I,  '  these  other  two  gentlemen  ?— '  Oh  !' 
laughed  St  Germain,  *  they  shall  be  kept  out  of  harm's  way  till  our 
return  ; '  so  saying,  he  very  coolly  double-locked  the  door  upon 
them,  and  then,  taking  me  by  the  arm,  led  me  to  a  shop  from  which 
he  generally  supplied  himself  with  what  he  required  for  his  various 
expeditions.  Upon  the  present  occasion  he  purchased  some  balls, 
powder,  flints,  exchanged  the  old  pistols  for  new  ones,  and  then, 
declaring  his  business  completed,  returned  with  me  to  his  house. 
On  entering,  I  felt  a  fresh  thrill  of  horror,  from  perceiving  how  ear- 
nestly and  yet  calmly  the  wretch  Boudin  was  occupied  in  sharpen- 
ing two  large  dinner  knives  on  a  hone  ; — the  sight  froze  my  blood, 
and  I  turned  away  in  disgust. 

Meanwhile  the  time  was  passing  away ;  one  o'clock  struck,  and 
no  expedient  of  safety  had  yet  presented  itself.  I  yawned  and 
stretched,  feigning  weariness,  and  going  into  an  apartment  adjoin- 
ing the  one  in  which  we  had  assembled,  threw  myself  on  a  bed,  as 
if  in  search  of  repose  ;  after  a  few  instants,  I  appeared  still  more 
fidgety  with  this  indolence,  and  I  could  perceive  that  the  others 
were  not  less  so  than  myself.  *  Suppose  we  have  a  glass  of  some- 
thing to  cheer  us,'  cried  St.  Germain.  'An  excellent  idea,'  I  replied, 
almost  leaping  for  joy  at  the  unexpected  opening  it  seemed  likely 
to  afford  my  scheme ;  '  a  most  capital  thought  —and  by  way  of 
helping  it,  if  you  can  manage  to  send  to  my  house,  you  may  have 
a  glass  of  burgundy,  such  as  cannot  be  met  with  every  day.'  All 
declared  the  thought  a  most  seasonable  relief  to  the  ennui  which 
was  beginning  to  have  hold  of  them  now  that  all  their  work  of  pre- 

18 


274  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

paration  was  at  an  end ;  and  St.  Germain  without  further  delay, 
despatched  his  porter  to  Annette,  who  was  requested  to  bring  the 
promised  treat  herself.  It  was  agreed  that  nothing  relative  to  our 
plan  should  be  uttered  before  her ;  and  whilst  my  three  companions 
were  indulging  in  rough  jokes  upon  the  unexpected  pleasure  thus 
offered  them,  I  carelessly  resumed  my  place  on  the  bed,  and  whilst 
there  traced  with  a  pencil  these  few  lines — '  When  you  leave  this 
place,  disguise  yourself,  and  do  not  for  an  instant  lose  sight  of 
myself,  St.  Germain,  or  Boudin.  Be  careful  to  avoid  all  observ- 
ation; and,  above  all,  be  sure  to  pick  up  anything  I  may  let 
fall,  and  to  convey  it  as  directed.'  Short  as  was  this  hurried 
instruction,  it  was,  I  knew,  sufficient  for  Annette,  who  had  frequently 
received  similar  directions,  and  I  felt  quite  assured  that  she  would 
comprehend  it  in  its  fullest  sense.  It  was  not  long  before  she 
joined  us,  bringing  with  her  the  basket  of  wine  Her  appearance 
was  the  signal  for  mirth  and  gaiety.  She  was  complimented  by 
all ;  and  as  for  myself,  under  the  semblance  of  thanking  her  for 
her  ready  attendance  with  an  embrace,  I  managed  to  slip  the  billet 
into  her  hand ;  she  understood  me,  took  leave  of  the  company, 
and  left  me  far  happier  than  I  had  felt  an  hour  before. 

We  made  a  hearty  dinner,  after  which  I  suggested  the  idea  of 
going  alone  with  St.  Germain  to  reconnoitre  the  scene  of  action,  in 
order  to  be  provided  with  the  means  of  guarding  against  any 
accident.  As  this  seemed  merely  the  counsel  of  a  prudent  man,  it 
excited  no  suspicion ;  the  only  difference  in  his  opinion  and  mine 
was,  that  I  proposed  taking  a  hackney-coach,  whilst  he  judged  it 
better  to  walk.  When  we  reached  the  part  he  considered  most 
favourable  for  scaling,  he  pointed  it  out  to  me ;  and  I  took  care  to 
observe  it  so  well,  that  I  could  easily  describe  it  to  another,  with- 
out fear  of  any  mistake  arising.  This  done,  St.  Germain  recollected 
that  we  had  all  better  cover  our  faces  with  black  crape,  and  we 
proceeded  towards  the  Palais  Royal,  for  the  purpose  of  buying 
some  ;  and  whilst  he  was  in  a  shop,  examining  the  different  sorts,  I 
managed  to  scrawl  hastily  on  paper  every  particular  and  direction 
which  might  enable  the  police  to  interfere  and  prevent  the  crime. 
St.  Germain,  whose  vigilance  never  relaxed,  and  who  had  as  much 
as  possible  kept  his  eye  on  me  with  calm  scrutiny,  conducted  me 
10  a  public-house,  where  we  refreshed  ourselves  with  some  beer ; 
quitting  this  place,  we  walked  again  homewards,  without  my  having 
been  enabled  to  dispose  of  the  billet  I  had  written ;  when,  just  as 
we  were  re-entering  his  odious  den  of  crimes,  my  eye  caught  sight 
of  Annette,  who,  disguised  in  a  manner  that  would  have  effectually 
deceived  every  other  but  myself,  was  on  the  watch  for  our  return. 
Convinced  that  she  had  recognised  me,  I  managed  to  drop  my 


RENDEZVOUS.  275 

paper  as  I  crossed  the  threshold ;  and,  relieved  in  a  great  measure 
of  many  of  my  former  apprehensions  I  committed  myself  to  my 
fate.  As  the  terrible  hour  for  the  fulfilment  of  our  scheme 
approached,  I  became  a  prey  to  a  thousand  terrors.  Spite  of  the 
warning  I  had  sent  through  Annette,  the  police  might  be  tardy  in 
obeying  its  directions,  and  might,  perhaps,  arrive  too  late  to  prevent 
the  consummation  of  the  crime.  Should  I  at  once  avow  myself, 
and  in  my  real  character  arrest  St.  Germain  and  his  accomplices  ? 
Alas !  what  could  I  do  against  three  powerful  men,  rendered 
furious  by  revenge  and  desperation  ?  And,  besides,  had  1  even 
succeeded  in  my  attempt,  who  could  say  that  I  might  be  believed, 
when  I  denied  all  participation  with  them,  except  such  as  was  to 
further  the  ends  of  justice  ?  Instances  rose  to  my  recollection,  where, 
under  similar  circumstances,  the  police  had  abandoned  its  agents, 
or,  confounding  them  with  the  guilty  wretches  with  whom  they  had 
mingled,  refused  to  acknowledge  their  innocence.  I  was  in  all 
the  agony  of  such  reflections,  when  St.  Germain  roused  me,  by 
desiring  I  would  accompany  Debenne,  whose  cabriolet  was  destined 
to  receive  the  expected  treasure  of  money-bags,  and  was  for  that 
purpose  to  be  stationed  at  the  corner  of  the  street.  We  went  out 
together,  and,  as  I  looked  around  me,  I  again  met  the  eye  of  my 
faithful  Annette,  whose  glance  satisfied  me  that  all  my  commissions 
had  been  attended  to.  Just  then,  Debenne  inquired  of  me  the 
place  of  rendezvous.  I  know  not  what  good  genius  suggested  to 
me  the  idea  of  saving  this  unhappy  creature.  I  had  observed  that 
he  was  not  wicked  at  heart,  and  that  he  seemed  rather  drawn  to- 
wards the  abyss  of  guilt  by  want  and  bad  advice,  than  by  any 
natural  inclination  for  crime.  I  hastily  assigned  to  him  a  post, 
away  from  the  spot  which  had  been  agreed  on  ;  and,  happy  in 
having  saved  him  from  the  snare,  rejoined  St  Germain  and  Boudin 
at  the  angle  of  the  Boulevard  St.  Denis.  It  was  now  about  half- 
past  ten,  and  I  gave  them  to  understand  that  the  cabriolet  would 
require  some  time  in  getting  ready ;  that  I  had  given  orders  to 
Debenne,  that  he  should  take  his  station  in  the  corner  of  the  Rue 
du  Faubourg  Poissonniere,  ready  to  hasten  up  at  the  slightest 
signal.  I  observed  to  them,  that  the  sight  of  a  cabriolet  too  near 
to  the  place  of  our  labours  might  awaken  suspicion  ;  and  they 
agreed  in  thinking  my  precautions  wisely  taken. 

Eleven  o'clock  struck — we  took  a  glass  together  in  the  Fau- 
bourg St.  Denis,  and  then  directed  our  steps  towards  the  banker's 
habitation.  The  tranquillity  of  Boudin  and  his  infamous  associate 
had  something  in  it  almost  fiend-like  :  they  walked  coolly  along, 
each  wiih  his  pipe  in  his  mouth,  which  was  only  removed  to  hum 
over  son/v'  loose  song. 


276  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

At  last  we  arrived  at  the  part  of  the  garden  wall  it  had  been  de- 
termined to  scale,  by  means  of  a  large  post,  which  would  serve  as 
a  ladder  St.  Germain  demanded  my  pistols  ; — my  heart  began 
to  beat  violently,  for  I  fully  expected  that,  having  by  some  ill 
chance  penetrated  my  real  share  in  the  affair,  he  meant  that  I 
should  answer  for  it  with  my  life ;  resistance  would  have  been  use- 
less, and  I  put  them  into  his  hands ;  but,  to  my  extreme  relief,  he 
merely  opened  the  pan,  changed  the  priming,  and  returned  them 
to  me.  After  having  performed  a  similar  operation  on  his  own 
p/stols  and  those  of  Boudin,  he  set  the  example  of  climbing  "the 
post ;  Boudin  followed  ;  and  both  of  them,  without  interrupting 
their  smoking,  sprung  into  the  garden :  it  became  my  turn  to  follow 
them  :  trembling,  I  reached  the  top  of  the  wall ;  all  my  former 
apprehensions  crowded  back  upon  me.  Had  the  police  yet  had 
time  to  lay  their  ambuscade  ?  Might  not  St  Germain  have  pre- 
ceded them  ?  These  and  a  thousand  similar  questions  agitated 
my  mind.  My  feelings  were,  however,  wrought  up  to  so  high  a 
pitch,  that,  in  the  midst  of  such  a  moment  of  cruel  suspense,  I 
determined  on  one  measure,  namely,  to  prevent  the  commission 
of  the  crime,  though  I  sank  in  the  unequal  struggle.  However, 
St.  Germain,  seeing  me  still  sitting  astride  on  the  top  of  the  wall, 
and  becoming  impatient  at  my  delay,  cried  out,  *  Come,  come 
down  with  you.'  Scarcely  had  he  said  the  words,  than  he  was 
vigorously  attacked  by  a  number  of  men.  Boudin  and  himself 
offered  a  desperate  resistance.  A  brisk  firing  commenced — the 
balls  whistled — and,  after  a  combat  of  some  minutes,  the  two 
assassins  were  seized,  though  not  before  several  of  the  police  had 
been  wounded.  St.  Germain  and  his  companion  were  likewise 
much  hurt.  For  myself,  as  I  took  no  part  in  the  engagement,  I 
was  not  likely  to  come  to  any  harm  :  nevertheless,  that  I  might 
sustain  my  part  to  the  end,  I  fell  on  the  field  of  battle,  as  though 
I  had  been  mortally  wounded.  The  next  instant  I  was  wrapped 
in  a  covering,  and  in  this  manner  conveyed  to  a  room  where 
Boudin  and  St.  Germain  were;  the  latter  appeared  deeply  touched 
at  my  death  ;  he  shed  tears,  and  it  was  necessary  to  employ  force 
to  remove  him  from  what  he  believed  to  be  my  corpse. 

St.  Germain  was  a  man  of  about  five  feet  eight  inches  high, 
with  strongly  developed  muscles,  an  enormous  head,  and  very 
small  eyes,  half  closed,  like  those  of  an  owl ;  his  face,  deeply 
marked  with  the  small-pox,  was  extremely  plain ;  and  yet,  from 
the  quickness  and  vivacity  of  his  expression,  he  was  by  many 
persons  considered  pleasing.  In  describing  his  features,  a  strong 
resemblance  would  suggest  itself  to  those  of  the  hyena  and  the 
wolf,  particularly  if  the  attention  were  directed  to  his  immensely 


A  NECESSARY  EVIL.  277 

wide  jaws,  furnished  with  large  projecting  fangs  ;  his  very  organi- 
zation partook  of  the  animal  instinct  common  to  beasts  of  prey ; 
he  was  passionately  fond  of  hunting  ;  the  sight  of  blood  exhilarated 
him  :  his  other  passions  were  gaming,  women,  and  good  eating  and 
drinking.  As  he  had  acquired  the  air  and  manners  of  good  society, 
he  expressed  himself  when  he  chose  with  ease  and  fluency,  and 
was  almost  always  fashionably  and  elegantly  dressed;  he  might  be 
styled  a  '  well-bred  thief  When  his  interest  required  it,  no  person 
could  better  assume  the  pleasant  mildness  of  an  amiable  man  ;  at 
other  times  he  was  abrupt  and  brutal.  His  comrade  Boudin  was 
diminutive  in  stature,  scarcely  reaching  five  feet  two  inches ;  thin, 
with  a  livid  complexion  ;  his  eyes  dark  and  piercing,  and  deeply 
sunk  in  his  head.  The  habit  of  wielding  the  carving-knife,  and 
of  cutting  up  meat,  had  rendered  him  ferocious.  He  was  bow- 
legged  ;  a  deformity  I  have  observed  among  several  systematic 
assassins,  as  well  as  among  many  other  individuals  distinguished 
by  their  crimes. 

I  cannot  remember  any  event  of  my  life  which  afforded  me 
more  real  satisfaction  than  the  taking  of  these  two  villains.  I  ap- 
plauded myself  for  having  delivered  society  from  two  monsters,  at 
the  same  time  that  I  esteemed  myself  fortunate  in  having  saved 
Debemne  from  the  fate  which  would  have  befallen  him,  had  he 
been  taken  with  them.  However,  the  share  of  self-satisfaction 
produced  by  the  feeling  of  having  been  instrumental  in  rescuing  a 
fellow-creature  from  destruction,  was  but  a  slight  compensation  for 
the  misery  I  experienced  at  being  in  a  manner  compelled  by  the 
stern  duties  of  the  post  I  filled,  either  to  send  a  fresh  succession 
of  victims  to  ascend  the  scaffold,  or  to  mount  it  myself.  The 
quality  of  *  secret  agent '  preserved,  it  is  true,  my  liberty,  and 
shielded  me  from  the  dangers  to  which,  as  a  fugitive  galley-slave, 
I  was  formerly  exposed  ;  true,  I  was  no  longer  subjected  to  the 
many  terrors  which  had  once  agitated  me  :  but  still  I  was  not 
pardoned  :  and  until  that  happy  event  took  place  the  liberty  I  en- 
joyed was  but  a  precarious  possession,  which  the  caprice  o/  my 
employers  could  deprive  me  of  at  any  moment.  Again,  I  was  not 
insensible  to  the  general  odium  attached  to  the  department  I 
filled  Still,  revolting  as  were  its  functions  to  my  own  choice  and 
mind,  it  was  a  necessary  evil,  and  one  from  which  there  was  no 
escape.  I  therefore  strove  to  reconcile  myself  to  it  by  arguments 
such  as  these  : — Was  I  not  daily  occupied  in  endeavouring  to  pro- 
mote the  welfare  of  society  ?  Was  I  not  espousing  the  part  of  the 
good  and  upright  against  the  bad  and  vicious  ?  And  should  I  by 
these  steps  .draw  down  upon  me  the  contempt  of  mankind  ?  I 
went  about  dragging  guilt  from  its  hidden  recesses,  and  unmasking 


278  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

its  many  schemes  of  blood  and  murder  :  and  should  I  for  this  be 
pointed  out  with  the  finger  of  scorn  and  hatred  ?  Attacking 
thieves,  even  on  the  very  theatre  of  their  crimes,  wresting  from 
them  the  weapons  with  which  they  had  armed  themselves,  I 
boldly  dared  their  vengeance  ;  and  did  I  for  this  merit  to  be  de- 
spised ?  My  reason  became  convinced ;  and  my  mind,  satisfied 
with  the  upright  motives  which  guided  me,  regained  its  calmness 
and  self-command ;  and  thus  armed,  I  felt  that  I  had  courage  to 
dare  the  ingratitude  and  obloquy  of  an  unjust  opinion  respecting 
me  and  my  occupation. 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Tlie  Inspectors  betray  me — A  receiver  of  stolen  goods  arrested  by  me. 
THE  thieves,  who  had  experienced  a  temporary  panic  at  the  many 
arrests  which  had  successively  fallen,  with  unexpected  vengeance, 
on  many  of  their  party,  were  not  long  in  reappearing  more  numer- 
ous and  more  audacious  than' ever.  Amongst  their  number  were 
several  fugitive  galley-slaves,  who,  having  perfected  in  the  Bagnes 
a  very  dangerous  sort  of  trade  and  ready  invention,  had  come  to 
exercise  it  in  Paris,  where  they  soon  rendered  themselves  dreaded 
by  all  parties.  The  police,  exasperated  at  their  boldness,  resolved 
upon  putting  an  end  to  their  career.  I  was  accordingly  com- 
manded to  seek  them  out ;  and  farther  orders  were  given  to  me, 
to  arrange  a  plan  of  action  with  the  peace  officers,  by  which  they 
might  be  at  hand  whenever  I  deemed  it  likely  they  could  effect 
the  capture  of  any  of  these  ruffians.  It  may  be  easily  guessed  how 
difficult  my  task  must  be:  however,  I  lost  no  time  in  visiting  every 
place  of  ill-fame,  both  in  the  metropolis  and  its  environs.  In  a 
very  few  days  I  had  gained  the  knowledge  of  all  the  dens  of  vice 
where  I  might  be  likely  to  meet  with  these  wretches.  The 
barrier  de  la  Courtille,  those  of  the  Combat  and  de  Menilmontant, 
were  the  places  of  most  favourite  resort ;  they  were,  in  a  manner, 
their  headquarters,  and  woe  to  the  agent  who  had  shown  himself 
there,  no  matter  for  what  reason ;  he  would  assuredly  have  had 
his  brains  beaten  out.  The  gendarmes  were  equally  in  dread  of 
this  well-known  and  formidable  association,  and  carefully  abstained 
from  approaching  it.  For  my  own  part,  I  felt  less  timidity,  and 
ventured  without  hesitation  into  the  midst  of  this  herd  of  miserable 
beings.  I  frequented  their  society  ;  I  became  to  outward  sem- 
blance one  of  themselves  ;  and  soon  gained  the  advantage  of 
being  treated  with  so  much  confidence  as  to  be  admitted  to  their 
nocturnal  meetings,  where  they  openly  discussed  the  crimes  they 
had  committed,  as  well  as  those  they  meditated.  I  managed  so 


'MEN  OF  CRIMES:  279 

skilfully,  that  I  easily  drew  from  them  the  particulars  of  their  own 
abode,  or  that  of  the  females  with  whom  they  cohabited.  I  may 
go  still  farther,  and  assert,  that  so  boundless  was  the  confidence  with 
which  I  inspired  them,  that  had  any  one  of  their  members  dared  to 
express  the  shadow  of  suspicion  respecting  me,  he  would  have 
been  punished  on  the  spot.  In  this  manner  I  obtained  every 
requisite  information  ;  so  that,  when  I  had  once  indicated  any  fit 
object  for  arrest,  his  conviction  and  condemnation  became  matters 
of  course.  My  researches  *  intra  muros  '  were  not  less  successful. 
I  frequented  every  tennis-court  in  the  environs  of  the  Palais-Royal, 
the  Hotel  d'Angleterre,  the  boulevards  of  the  Temple,  and  in  fact 
the  whole  city.  Not  a  day  passed  in  which  I  did  not  effect  some 
important  discovery.  Nothing  escaped  me,  either  relating  to 
crimes  which  had  been  committed,  or  were  in  contemplation.  I 
was  in  all  places  ;  I  knew  all  that  was  passing  or  projecting  ;  and 
never  were  the  police  idly  or  unprofitably  employed  when  set  to 
work  upon  my  suggestions. 

M.  Henry  openly  expressed  his  surprise  as  well  as  satisfaction 
at  my  zeal  and  success  ;  it  was  not  so  with  many  of  the  peace- 
officers  and  sub-agents  of  police,  for,  little  accustomed  to  the  hard 
duty  and  constant  watchfulness  my  plans  induced,  they  openly 
murmured.  Some  of  them,  in  their  anxiety  to  be  rid  of  the  irk- 
someness  of  my  direction,  were  cowardly  enough  to  betray  the 
secret  of  the  disguise  under  favour  of  which  I  had  so  skilfully 
manoeuvred  This  imprudent  act  drew  down  upon  them  severe 
reprimands,  without  having  the  effect  of  making  them  more  cir- 
cumspect, or  more  devoted  to  the  public  good. 

It  will  be  readily  understood  that,  associating  as  I  constantly 
did  with  the  vilest  and  most  abandoned,  I  must,  as  a  matter  of 
course,  be  repeatedly  invited  to  join  in  their  acts  of  criminal 
violence  ;  this  I  never  refused  at  the  moment  of  asking,  but  always 
formed  some  plea  for  failing  to  attend  the  rendezvous  for  such  pur- 
poses These  men  of  crimes  were  generally  so  absorbed  in  their 
villainous  machinations,  that  the  most  flimsy  excuse  passed  current 
with  them  :  I  may  even  say,  that  frequently  it  did  not  require  the 
trouble  of  an  excuse  to  deceive  them.  Once  arrested,  they  never 
troubled  themselves  to  find  out  by  what  means  it  had  been  effected ; 
and  had  they  even  been  more  awake,  my  measures  were  laid  too 
ably  for  them  to  have  arrived  at  the  chance  of  suspecting  me  as 
the  author  of  it :  indeed,  I  have  often  been  accosted  by  some  of 
the  gang  to  communicate  the  sorrowful  tidings  of  the  apprehension 
of  one  of  their  number,  as  well  as  to  beg  my  advice  and  assistance 
in  endeavouring  to  procure  his  release. 

Nothing  is  more  easy,  when  unce  on  good  terms  with  a  thieij 


28o  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

than  to  obtain  a  knowledge  of  the  persons  to  whom  he  disposes 
of  his  stolen  property.  Perhaps  the  recital  of  the  means  I  adopted 
to  rid  Paris  of  one  of  these  dangerous  characters  may  not  be  un- 
interesting to  the  reader. 

For  many  years  the  police  had  had  its  eye  upon  him,  but  as  yet 
had  not  been  able  to  detect  him  in  any  positive  act  of  delinquency. 
His  house  had  undergone  repeated  searches  without  any  effect 
resulting  from  the  most  diligent  inquiry  ;  nothing  of  the  most  trifling 
nature  cruld  be  found  to  rise  in  evidence  against  him.  Never- 
theless, he  was  known  to  traffic  with  the  thieves ;  and  many  of 
them,  \\  ho  were  far  from  suspecting  my  connection  with  the  police, 
pointed  him  out  to  me  as  a  staunch  friend,  and  a  man  on  whom 
they  could  depend.  These  assertions  respecting  him  were  not 
sufficient  to  effect  his  conviction ;  it  would  be  requisite  to  seize 
him  with  the  stolen  articles  in  his  possession,  M.  Henry  had  tried 
every  scheme  to  accomplish  this  ;  but  whether  from  stupidity  on 
the  part  of  the  agents  employed  by  him,  or  the  superior  address  of 
the  receiver  of  stolen  property,  all  his  plans  had  failed  He  was 
desirous  of  trying  whether  I  should  be  more  successful  I 
willingly  undertook  the  office,  and  arranged  my  plans  in  the 
following  manner.  Posted  near  the  house  of  the  suspected  dealer 
in  stolen  property,  I  watched  for  his  going  out,  and  following  him, 
when  he  had  gone  a  few  steps  down  the  street,  addressed  him  by 
a  different  name  to  his  own.  He  assured  me  I  was  mistaken  ;  I 
protested  to  the  contrary :  he  insisted  upon  it  I  was  deceived,  and 
I  affected  to  be  equally  satisfied  of  his  identity,  declaring  my 
perfect  recognition  of  his  person  as  that  of  a  man  who  for  some 
time  had  been  sought  after  by  the  police  throughout  Paris  and  its 
environs  '  You  are  grossly  mistaken,'  replied  he  warmly.  *  My 
name  is  so  and  so,  and  I  live  in  such  a  street.'  '  Come,  come, 
friend,'  said  I,  '  excuses  are  useless.  I  know  you  too  well  to  part 
with  you  so  easily.' — '  This  is  too  much,'  cried  he ;  *  but  at  the 
next  police-station  I  shall  possibly  be  able  to  meet  with  those  who 
can  convince  you  that  I  know  my  own  name  better  than  you  seem 
to  do/  This  was  exactly  the  point  at  which  I  wished  to  arrive. 
'Agreed,'  said  I ;  and  we  bent  our  steps  towards  the  neighbouring 
guard-house.  We  entered,  and  I  requested  he  would  show  me  his 
papers  :  he  had  none  about  him.  I  then  insisted  upon  his  being 
searched,  and  on  his  person  were  found  three  watches  and  twenty- 
five  double  Napoleons,  which  I  caused  to  be  laid  aside  till  he 
should  be  examined  before  a  magistrate.  These  things  had  been 
wrapped  in  a  handkerchief,  which  I  contrived  to  secure  ;  and  after 
having  disguised  myself  as  a  messenger,  I  hastened  to  the  house 
of  this  receiver  of  stolen  goods,  and  demanded  to  speak  with  his 


CONVICTION  OF  A  RECEIVER.  281 

wife.  She,  of  course,  had  no  idea  of  my  business,  or  Knowledge 
of  my  person  ;  and  seeing  several  persons  besides  herself  present, 
I  signified  to  her  that,  my  business  being  of  a  private  nature,  it  was 
important  that  I  should  speak  to  her  alone;  and  in  token  of  my 
claims  to  her  confidence,  produced  the  handkerchief,  and  inquired 
vv  lather  she  recognized  it?  Although  still  ignorant  of  the  cause 
of  my  visit,  her  countenance  became  troubled,  and  her  whole 
person  was  much  agitated  as  she  begged  me  to  let  her  hear  my 
business.  '  I  am  concerned,'  replied  I,  '  to  be  the  bearer  of  un- 
pleasant news  ;  but  the  fact  is,  your  husband  has  just  been  arrested, 
everything  found  on  his  person  has  been  seized,  and  from  some 
words  which  he  happened  to  overhear,  he  suspects  he  has  been 
betrayed ;  he  therefore  wishes  you  to  remove  out  of  the  house 
certain  things  you  are  aware  would  be  dangerous  to  his  safety  if 
found  on  the  premises;  if  you  please,  I  will  lend  you  a  helping 
hand,  but  I  must  forewarn  you  that  you  have  not  one  moment  to 
lose.' 

The  information  was  of  the  first  importance ;  the  sight  of  the 
handkerchief,  and  the  description  of  the  objects  it  had  served  to 
envelope,  removed  from  her  mind  every  doubt  as  to  the  truth  of 
the  message  I  had  brought  her,  and  she  easily  fell  into  the  snare 
I  had  laid  to  entrap  her.  She  thanked  me  for  the  trouble  I  had 
taken,  and  begged  I  would  go  and  engage  three  hackney-coaches, 
and  return  to  her  with  a's  little  delay  as  possible.  I  left  the  house 
to  execute  my  commission ;  but  on  the  road  I  stopped  to  give  one 
of  my  people  instructions  to  keep  the  coaches  in  sight,  and  to 
seize  them,  with  their  contents,  directly  I  should  give  the  signal. 
The  vehicles  drew  up  to  the  door,  and  upon  re-entering  the  house, 
I  found  things  in  a  high  state  of  preparation  for  removing.  The 
floor  was  strewed  with  articles  of  every  description  ;  time-pieces, 
candelabra,  Etruscan  vases,  cloths,  cachemires,  linen,  muslin,  etc. 
All  these  things  had  been  taken  from  a  closet,  the  entrance  to 
which  was  cleverly  concealed  by  a  large  press,  so  skilfully  con- 
trived that  the  most  practised  eye  could  not  have  discovered  the 
deception.  I  assisted  in  the  removal,  and  when  it  was  completed, 
the  press  having  been  carefully  replaced,  the  woman  begged  of  me 
to  accompany  her,  which  I  did,  and  no  sooner  was  she  in  one  of 
the  coaches,  ready  to  start,  than  I  suddenly  pulled  up  the  window, 
and  at  this  previously  concerted  signal,  we  were  immediately  sur- 
rounded by  the  police.  The  husband  and  wife  were  tried  at  the 
assizes,  and,  as  may  be  easily  conceived,  were  overwhelmed  be- 
neath the  weight  of  an  accusation,  in  support  of  which  there 
existed  a  formidable  mass  of  convicting  testimony. 

Some  persons  may  perhaps  blame  the  expedient  to  which  I  had 


282  MEMOIRS  OF  V1DOCQ. 

recourse,  in  order  to  free  Paris  from  a  receiver  of  stolen  property 
who  had  been  for  a  long  time  a  positive  nuisance  to  the  capital. 
Whether  it  be  approved  of  or  not,  I  have  at  least  the  conscious- 
ness of  having  done  my  duty  ;  besides,  when  we  wish  to  overreach 
•.scoundrels  who  are  at  open  war  with  society,  every  stratagem  is 
allowable  by  which  to  effect  their  conviction,  except  endeavouring 
lo  provoke  the  commission  of  crime. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

Gueuvive's  gang — I  pass  for   a  fugitive   galley-slave,  and  engage  in  a  plot 
against  myself — Robbery  in  the  Rue  Cassette — Arrest  of  Gueuvive. 

NEARLY  about  the  same  time  in  which  the  event  mentioned  in  the 
last  chapter  occurred,  a  gang  had  formed  itself  in  the  Faubourg  St. 
Germain,  which  was,  more  particularly,  the  scene  of  its  exploits. 
It  was  composed  of  individuals  who  acted  under  the  guidance  of 
a  captain  named  Gueuvive,  alias  Constantin,  shortened  by  abbre- 
viation into  Antin  ;  for  the  same  custom  exists  amongst  thieves  as 
amongst  bullies,  spies,  and  informers,  of  being  called  only  by  the 
last  syllable  of  the  Christian  name.  Gueuvive,  or  Antin,  was  a 
fencing  master,  who,  after  having  served  as  bully  to  the  lowest 
prostitutes,  and  for  the  humblest  wages,,  was  completing  in  his 
present  character  the  many  vicissitudes  of  his  ill-spent  life.  It 
was  well  known  that  he  was  capable  of  any  action,  however  bad, 
and  although  murder  had  never  been  proved  against  him,  yet  few 
doubted  his  willingness  to  shed  blood,  if  by  so  doing  he  could 
reap  the  most  trifling  advantage.  His  mistress  had  been  murdered 
in  the  Champs  Elyse'es,  and  suspicions  were  strongly  directed 
against  him  as  the  author  of  the  crime.  However  this  may  be, 
Gueuvive  was  a  man  of  enterprising  character,  extreme  boldness, 
and  possessed  of  the  most  unblushing  effrontery  ;  at  least,  this  was 
the  estimate  formed  of  him  by  his  companions,  amongst  whom  he 
enjoyed  a  more  than  common  celebrity. 

For  some  time  the  attention  of  the  police  had  been  directed  to 
this  man  and  his  associates,  but  without  being  enabled  to  secure 
any  of  them,  although  each  day  teemed  with  fresh  accounts  of  their 
continued  attacks  upon  the  property  of  the  citizens  of  Paris.  At 
length  it  was  seriously  resolved  to  put  an  end  to  the  misdeeds  of 
these  plunderers,  and  I  received,  in  consequence,  orders  to  go  in 
search  of  them,  and  to  endeavour  to  take  them  in  the  very  fact. 
I  accordingly  provided  myself  with  a  suitable  disguise,  and  that 
very  evening  opened  the  campaign  in  the  Faubourg  St.  Germain, 
frequenting  every  place  of  ill-fame  in  it.  About  midnight,  I  went 
to  the  house  of  a  person  named  Boucher,  in  the  Rue  Neuve 


GUEUVIVE  283 

Guillemain,  where  I  took  a  glass  of  brandy  with  some  common 
girls  ;  and,  whilst  sitting  with  them,  I  heard  the  name  of  Con 
stantin  pronounced  at  the  table  adjoining  mine.  I  at  first 
imagined  he  was  present ;  but  upon  cautiously  questioning  one  of 
the  tfirls,  she  assured  me  he  was  not ;  although,  added  she,  'he 
seldom  fails  being  here  every  day  to  meet  his  numerous  friends.' 
From  the  tone  in  which  she  spoke,  I  fancied  I  could  perceive  that 
she  was  perfectly  conversant  with  the  habits  of  these  gentry,  and 
in  the  hope  of  drawing  further  particulars  from  her,  I  invited  her 
to  sup  with  me.  The  offer  wis  accepted,  and  by  the  time  I  had 
well  plied  her  with  liquor,  she  gave  me  the  information  I  required, 
and  with  the  more  readiness  as  from  my  dress,  actions,  and  ex- 
pressions, she  had  set  me  down  in  her  own  mind  as  one  of  the 
light-fingered  brethren.  We  passed  a  part  of  the  night  together, 
and  I  did  not  quit  her  till  she  had  fully  explained  to  me  the 
different  haunts  of  Gueuvive. 

The  next  day,  at  twelve  o'clock,  I  repaired  to  the  house  of 
Boucher,  where  I  again  met  my  companion  of  the  preceding  ni^ht. 
I  had  scarcely  entered  when  she  saw  me,  and,  immediately 
addressing  me,  cried,  '  Now  is  your  time  if  you  wish  to  speak  with 
Gueuvive — he  is  here  ;'  and  she  pointed  to  an  individual  of  from 
twenty-eight  to  thirty  years  of  age,  neatly  dressed,  although  but  in 
his  waistcoat ;  he  was  about  five  feet  six  inches  high,  extremely 
good-looking,  fine  black  hair  and  whiskers,  regular  teeth — in  fact, 
precisely  as  he  had  been  described  to  me  ;  without  hesitation  I 
addressed  him,  requesting  he  would  oblige  me  with  a  little  tobacco 
from  his  box.  He  examined  me  from  head  to  foot,  and  inquired 
*  if  I  had  served  in  the  army.'  I  replied  that  I  had  been  in  an 
hussar  regiment,  and  soon  over  a  glass  of  good  drink  we  fell  into  a 
deep  conversation  upon  military  affairs. 

Time  passed  whilst  we  were  thus  engaged,  and  dinner  was  talked 
of;  Gueuvive  declared  that  I  should  make  one  in  a  par  y  he  had 
been  arranging,  and  that  my  company  would  afford  him  much 
pleasure.  It  was  not  very  probable  I  should  refuse  :  I  accepted 
his  invitation  without  farther  ceremony;  and  we  went  away  to- 
gether to  the  Barriere  du  Maine,  where  four  of  his  friends  were 
awaiting  his  arrival.  We  immediately  sat  down  to  the  dinner- 
table,  and,  as  I  was  a  stranger  to  all,  the  conversation  was  very 
guarded.  However,  a  few  cant  words  which  occasionally  escaped 
them  soon  served  to  convince  me  that  all  the  members  of  this 
charming  society  were  cracksmen  (thieves). 

They  were  all  very  curious  to  h  ar  what  I  did  for  my  living,  and 
T  soon  fudged  a  tale  which  satisfied  them,  and  induced  them  not 
only  to  suppose  I  came  from  the  country,  but  likewise  that  I  was 


284  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

a  thief  on  the  look-out  for  a  job.  I  did  not  explicitly  state  these 
particulars,  but  affecting  certain  peculiarities  which  betray  the  pro- 
fession, I  allowed  them  to  perceive  that  I  had  great  reasons  for 
wishing  to  conceal  my  person. 

The  wine  was  not  spared,  and  so  well  did  it  loosen  every 
tongue,  that  before  the  close  of  the  repast  I  had  learned  the  abode 
of  Gueuvive,  as  well  as  that  of  his  worthy  coadjutor,  Joubert,  and 
the  names  of  many  of  their  comrades.  At  the  moment  of  our 
separating  I  hinted  that  I  did  not  exactly  know  where  I  should 
procure  a  bed,  and  Joubert  immediately  offered  to  give  me  a 
night's  lodging  with  him,  and  conducted  me  to  the  Rue  St. 
Jaques,  where  he  occupied  a  back  room  on  the  second  floor; 
there  I  shared  with  him  the  bed  of  his  mistress,  the  girl  Cornevin. 

We  conversed  together  for  some  time,  and  before  we  fell  asleep, 
Joubert  overwhelmed  me  with  questions  ;  his  object  was  to  sift  out 
my  present  mode  of  existence,  what  papers  I  had  about  me,  etc 
His  curiosity  appeared  insatiable,  and,  in  order  to  satisfy  it,  I  con- 
trived, either  by  a  positive  falsehood,  or  an  equivocation,  to  lead 
him  to  suppose  me  a  brother  thief.  At  last,  as  if  he  had  guessed 
my  meaning,  he  exclaimed,  *  Come,  do  not  beat  about  the  bush 
any  longer ;  I  see  how  it  is,  you  know  you  are  a  prig.'  I  feigned 
not  to  understand  these  words ;  he  repeated  them ;  and  I, 
affecting  to  take  offence,  assured  him  that  he  was  greatly  mistaken, 
and  that  if  he  indulged  in  similar  jokes,  I  should  be  compelled  to 
withdraw  from  his  company.  Joubert  was  silenced,  and  nothing 
farther  was  said  till  the  next  day  at  ten  o'clock,  when  Gueuvive 
came  to  awaken  us. 

It  was  agreed  that  we  should  go  and  dine  at  La  Glaciere.  On 
the  road  Gueuvive  took  me  aside  and  said,  '  Hark  ye,  I  see 
you  are  a  good  fellow,  and  I  am  willing  to  do  you  a  service  if  I 
can ;  do  not  be  so  reserved,  then,  but  tell  me  who  and  what  you 
are.'  Some  hint  I  had  purposely  thrown  out  having  induced  him 
to  believe  that  I  had  escaped  from  the  Bagne  at  Toulon,  he  recom- 
mended me  to  observe  a  cautious  prudence  with  my  companions, 
'  for  though  they  are  the  best  creatures  living,'  said  he,  *  yet  they 
are  rather  fond  of  chattering.' — 'Oh,'  replied  I,  'I  shall  keep  a 
sharp  lookout,  I  promise  you ;  besides,  Paris  will  never  do  for 
me,  I  must  be  off;  there  are  too  many  sneaking  informers  about 
for  me  to  be  safe  in  it.' — 'That's  true,'  added  he,  'but  if  you  can 
keep  Vidocq  from  guessing  at  your  business,  you  are  safe  enough 
with  me,  who  can  smell  those  beggars  as  easily  as  a  crow  scents 
powder.' — '  Well,'  said  I,  '  I  cannot  boast  of  so  much  penetration, 
yet  I  think,  too,  that  from  the  frequent  description  I  have  heard 
vf  this  Vidocq,  his  features  are  so  well  engraved  in  my  recollection, 


WAYLAYING  VIDOCQ.  285 

that  1  should  pretty  soon  recognise  him,  if  I  came  unexpectedly 
in  his  way.' — '  God  bless  you  !'  cried  he,  *  it  is  easy  to  perceive  you 
are  a  stranger  to  the  vagabond  :  just  imagine  now,  that  he  is  never 
to  be  seen  twice  in  the  same  dress  ;  that  he  is  in  the  morning 
perhaps  just  such  another  looking  person  as  you  ;  well,  the  next 
hour  so  altered,  that  his  own  brother  could  not  recognise  him,  and 
b)  the  evening,  I  defy  any  man  to  remember  ever  having  seen  him 
before.  Only  yesterday,  I  met  him  disguised  in  a  manner  that 
would  have  deceived  any  eye  but  mine,  but  he  must  be  a  deep 
hand  if  he  gets  over  me ;  I  know  these  sneaks  at  the  first  glance, 
and  if  my  friends  were  as  knowing  as  myself,  his  business  would 
have  been  done  long  ago  ' — '  Nonsense,'  cried  I ;  *  everybody  says 
the  same  thing  of  him,  and  yet  you  see  there  is  no  getting  rid  of 
him.' — 'You  are  right,'  replied  he,  'but  to  prove  that  I  can  act  as 
well  as  talk,  if  you  will  lend  me  a  helping  hand,  this  very  evening 
we  will  waylay  him  at  his  door,  and  1  warrant  we'll  settle  the  job, 
so  as  to  keep  him  from  giving  any  of  us  farther  uneasiness.' 

I  felt  curious  to  learn  whether  he  really  was  acquainted  with  my 
residence,  and  promised  readily  to  join  his  scheme,  and  accordingly, 
about  the  dusk  of  the  evening,  we  each  tied  up  in  handkerchiefs  a 
number  of  heavy  ten-sous  pieces,  in  order  to  administer  to  this 
scamp  of  a  Vidocq  a  few  effectual  blows  the  moment  he  should 
issue  from  his  house.  Having  fastened  the  money  in  a  hard 
knot  at  the  corner  of  our  handkerchiefs,  we  set  out;  and  Constantin, 
who  seemed  just  in  the  humour  for  the  task  he  had  undertaken, 
led  the  way  to  the  Rue  Neuve  St.  Francois,  and  stopped  before 
a  house,  No.  14— my  exact  abode.  I  could  not  conceive  how  he 
had  procured  my  address,  and  must  confess  the  circumstance  gave 
me  great  uneasiness,  whilst  it  redoubled  my  wonder,  that  being  so 
well  acquainted  with  my  dwelling,  he  should  appear  to  have  so  little 
knowledge  of  my  person.  We  kept  watch  for  several  hours,  but 
Vidocq,  as  may  be  well  imagined,  did  not  make  his  appearance  j 
Constantin  was  highly  enraged  at  this  disappointment,  'We  must 
give  it  up  for  to-night,'  said  he  at  length,  4  but  the  first  time  I  meet 
the  rascal,  by  heavens  he  shall  pay  doubly  for  keeping  me  waiting 
now.' 

At  midnight  we  retired,  putting  off  the  execution  of  our  project 
till  the  ensuing  night.  It  was  amusing  enough  to  see  me  thus 
assisting  in  laying  an  ambuscade  for  myself  to  be  caught  in.  The 
readiness  with  which  I  embarked  in  the  scheme  quite  won  the 
good-will  of  Constantin,  who  from  this  moment  treated  me  with 
the  greatest  confidence ;  he  even  invited  me  to  make  one  in  a 
projected  plan  for  robbing  a  house  in  the  Rue  Cassette.  I  agreed 
tp  join  the  party,  but  declared  that  I  neither  could  nor  would 


286  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

venture  out  in  the  night,  without  first  going  home  for  the  necessary 
papers  which  would  serve  me  in  case  of  our  scheme  failing,  and 
our  getting  into  the  hands  of  the  police.  '  In  that  case,'  replied 
he,  '  you  may  as  well  just  keep  watch  for  us,  whilst  we  do  the  job.' 
At  length  the  robbery  took  place,  and  as  the  night  was  excessively 
dark,  Constantin  and  his  companions  wishing  to  hurry  faster  than 
the  absence  of  all  light  permitted  them,  had  the  boldness  to  take 
down  a  lamp  from  before  a  door,  and  to  carry  it  before  them. 
Upon  their  return  home,  this  watchlight  was  placed  in  the  middle 
of  the  room,  whilst  they  seated  themselves  around  it  to  examine 
and  divide  their  booty;  in  the  midst  of  their  exultation  at  the  rith 
results  of  their  expedition,  a  sudden  knocking  was  heard  at  the 
door ;  the  robbers,  surprised  and  alarmed,  looked  at  each  other  in 
silent  dread.  This  was  a  surprise  for  which  they  were  indebted  to 
me.  Again  the  knocking  was  heard.  Constantin,  then,  by  a  sign 
commanding  silence,  said  in  a  whisper,  "Tis  the  police;  I  am  sure 
of  it.'  Amidst  the  confusion  occasioned  by  these  words,  and  the 
increased  knocking  at  the  gate,  I  contrived,  unobserved,  to  crawl 
under  a  bed,  where  I  had  scarcely  concealed  myself  when  the 
door  was  burst  open,  and  a  swarm  of  inspectors  and  other  officers 
of  the  police  entered  the  room.  A  general  search  took  place,  even 
the  bed  where  the  mistress  of  Joubert  slept  did  not  escape  :  they 
struck  their  sticks  both  over  and  under  the  bed  which  served  as 
my  hiding-place  without  discovering  me,  but  that,  of  course,  I  was 
prepared  for. 

The  commissioner  of  the  police  drew  up  a  proces-verbal,  an 
inventory  of  the  stolen  property,  and  it  was  packed  off  with  the 
five  thieves  to  the  prefecture.  This  operation  completed,  I  quitted 
my  hiding-place,  and  found  myself  alone  with  the  girl  Cornevin, 
who  was  all  astonishment  at  my  good  fortune,  the  reason  of  which 
she  was  far  from  suspecting.  She  urged  me  to  remain  where  I 
was.  '  What  are  you  thinking  of?'  said  I.  *  Suppose  the  police 
return  !  No,  no  ;  let  me  get  away  now  the  coast  is  clear,  and  I 
promise  to  join  you  at  1'Estrapade.'  I  sought  my  own  house  to 
procure  the  repose  I  so  greatly  needed,  and  at  the  hour  agreed  on, 
went  to  fulfil  my  appointment  with  Cornevin,  who  was  expecting 
me.  It  was  on  her  I  depended  to  procure  a  complete  list  of  all 
the  friends  and  associates  of  Joubert  and  Constantin  ;  and  as  I 
stood  rather  high  in  her  good  graces,  she  soon  furnished  me  with 
the  desired  information ;  so  that  in  less  than  a  fortnight,  thanks  to 
an  auxiliary  I  contrived  to  introduce  amongst  the  gang,  I  suc- 
ceeded in' causing  them  to  be  arrested  in  the  very  commission  of 
their  crimes.  There  were  eighteen  in  all.  who,  with  Constantin, 
were  condemned  to  the  galleys. 


GAFFRE.  287 

At  the  moment  when  the  chain  to  which  they  belonged  was 
about  to  set  out,  Constantin  having  perceived  me,  became  per- 
fectly furious,  and  broke  out  into  the  most  violent  imprecations 
and  invectives  ;  but,  without  feeling  any  offence  at  his  gross  and 
vulgar  appellations,  I  contented  myself  with  approaching  him  and 
saying  coolly,*  'that  it  was  very  surprising  how  a  man  like  him,  who 
knew  Vidocq,  and  could  boast  of  the  precious  faculty  of  "  smelling 
out  an  informer  as  far  off  as  a  crow  scents  powder,"  should  have 
allowed  himself  to  be  done  in  that  manner.'  This  was  a  knock- 
down blow  to  Constantin  ;  he  could  make  no  reply,  but  with  an 
air  oi  sullen  confusion,  turned  away  irom  me  and  was  silent. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

I  trip  up  Gaffre — Thief  and  spy  incompatible  trades — Gnffre'  again. 
I  WAS  not  long  the  only  secret  agent  of  the  police  of  safety ;  a  Jew 
named  Gaffre  was  my  coadjutor;    he  had  been  employed  before 
me  by  the  police,  but  as  our  principles  did  not  agree,  we  did  not 
long  go  on  with  harmony  together. 

Gaffre  was  the  only  secret  agent  with  a  salary.  I  was  no  sooner 
united  with  him  than  he  tried  to  get  rid  of  me ;  I  pretended  not 
to  see  through  his  intention,  and  if  he  contemplated  my  destruc- 
tion, I  resolved  on  my  side  to  defeat  his  plans.  I  had  a  dangerous 
game  to  pla>  :  Gaffre  was  as.  wily  as  a  snake.  When  I  knew  him 
he  was  called  the  high-priest  of  thieves.  He  had  begun  at  eight 
years  of  age,  at  eighteen  he  was  whipped  and  marked  on  the  Place 
du  Vieux-Marche',  at  Rouen.  His  mother,  who  was  mistress  of 
the  famous  Flambard,  chief  of  the  police  in  that  city,  had  en- 
deavoured to  save  him  :  but  although  one  of  the  handsomest 
Jewesses  of  her  time,  the  magistrates  would  grant  nothing  to  her 
charms:  Gaffre  was  too  culpable;  Venus  in  person  could  not 
have  prevailed  upon  his  judges.  He  was  banished.  However, 
he  did  not  quit  France,  and  when  the  Revolution  burst  forth,  he 
was  not  slow  in  assuming  the  old  course  of  his  exploits  in  a  band 
Df  chauffeurs,  amongst  whom  he  figured  under  the  name  of  Caille. 

Like  the  majority  of  his  confederates,  Gaffre  had  completed  his 
education  in  the  prisons,  and  then  he  had  became  a  universal 
genius,  that  is  to  say,  there  was  no  species  oi  prigging  in  which  he 
was  not  fully  expert.  Contrary  to  custom,  he  adopted  no  special 
or  particular  line  of  conduci ;  he  was  essentially  the  man  of  the 
moment  ;  nothing  came  amiss  to  him  from  cuffing  a  weasand  to 
draiving  a  pipe  (assassination  tc  pocket  picking).  This  general 
aptitude,  this  variety  of  contrivance,  had  enabled  him  to  amass  a 


288  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

small  sum.  He  had,  as  they  say,  shot  in  the  locker,  and  could  live 
without  working  ;  but  people  of  Gaffre's  profession  are  industrious, 
and  although  he  was  liberally  paid  by  the  police,  he  kept  on  adding 
to  his  accumulations  the  produce  of  some  unlawful  exactions,  which 
did  not  prevent  him  from  being  much  considered  in  his  quarter, 
where,  with  his  acolyte  Francfort,  another  Jew,  he  had  been  named 
captain  of  the  national  guard. 

Gaffre  was  afraid  that  I  should  supplant  him,  but  the  old  fox 
was  not  cunning  enough  to  hide  his  apprehensions  ;  I  watched 
him,  and  was  not  slow  in  discovering  that  he  was  manoeuvring  to 
get  me  into  a  snare.  I  appeared  to  be  blindly  led  by  him,  and  he 
chuckled  internally  at  his  anticipated  victory ;  when,  wishing  to 
catch  me  in  a  plot  which  I  saw  through,  he  was  himself  taken  in 
the  net,  and  in  the  end  shut  up  for  eight  months  in  the  depot. 

I  never  allowed  GafTrd  to  surmise  that  I  had  suspected  treachery, 
and  he  continued  to  dissemble  the  hatred  which  he  bore  towards 
me,  and  that  so  well,  that  we  were  apparently  the  best  friends  in 
the  world.  1  was  on  the  same  terms  with  many  robbers  who  were 
secret  agents,  and  with  whom  I  had  associated  during  my  deten- 
tion. These  latter  detested  me  heartily,  and  although  we  kept 
smiling  countenances  towards  each  other,  they  flattered  themselves 
that  they  should  pay  me  off  some  day.  Goupil,  the  Saint  George 
of  pugilism,  was  amongst  those  who  afforded  me  their  friendship, 
and,  constantly  attached  to  my  person,  filled  the  office  of  tempter; 
but  he  was  not  more  fortunate  nor  more  adroit  than  Gaffre.  Com- 
pere, Manigant,  Corvet,  Bouthey,  Leloutre,  also  tried  to  catch  me 
tripping  :  but  I  was  invulnerable,  thanks  to  the  advice  of  M. 
Henry. 

Gaffr^,  having  recovered  his  liberty,  did  not  renounce  his  design 
of  ruining  me.  With  Manigant  and  Compere  he  plotted  to  get 
me  condemned  ;  but,  persuaded  that  having  once  defeated  him  he 
would  not  leave  me,  but  return  to  the  charge  with  vigour,  I  was 
incessantly  on  my  guard.  I  awaited  him  firmly,  when  one  day 
that  a  religious  solemnity  had  attracted  a  vast  crowd  to  Saint  Roch, 
he  announced  to  me  that  he  had  orders  to  attend  there  with  me. 
'  I  shall  take  Compere  and  Manigant  with  us,'  he  added,  '  as  we 
learn  that  at  this  moment  there  are  many  strange  robbers  in  Paris, 
and  they  will  point  out  to  us  all  they  know.'  'Take  whom  you 
please.'  I  answered,  and  we  set  out.  When  we  reached  our  destina- 
tion, there  was  a  considerable  crowd ;  the  service  that  we  were 
upon  did  not  require  that  we  should  all  unite  at  one  point.  Mani- 
gant and  Gaffre  went  first.  Suddenly,  in  the  place  they  were,  I 
remarked  an  old  man,  who,  by  being  pressed  against  a  pillar,  did 
not  know  where  to  put  his  head;  he  did  not  cry  out,  from  respect 


GAFFR&  AND  MANIGANT.  289 

to  the  sacred  place,  but  his  whole  person  was  disarranged  and  his 
wig  knocked  awry  ;  he  lost  his  footing ;  his  hat,  which  fell  off,  and 
which  he  anxiously  followed  with  his  eyes,  was  rolled  from  place 
to  place,  sometimes  from  and  sometimes  towards  him.  '  Gentle- 
men, I  beseech  you,  I  beg  of  you,'  were  the  only  words  which  he 
pronounced  in  a  piteous  tone  ;  and,  holding  in  one  hand  a  gold- 
headed  cane  and  in  the  other  his  snuffbox  and  pocket-handker- 
chief, he  shook  his  hands  in  the  air,  as  if  he  would  have  reached 
the  ceiling  with  them.  I  found  he  had  lost  his  watch,  but  what 
could  I  do  ?  I  was  too  far  distant  from  the  old  gentleman;  besides, 
my  advice  would  be  too  late ;  and  then  Gaffre,  was  he  not  also  a 
witness  of  the  scene  ?  and  although  he  said  nothing,  he  doubtless 
had  some  motive  for  it.  I  adopted  the  wisest  plan,  and  was  silent 
to  see  what  would  ensue,  and  during  the  space  of  two  hours,  the 
duration  of  the  ceremony,  I  had  an  opportunity  of  observing  five 
or  six  of  these  concerted  squeezes,  and  saw  Gaffrd  and  Manigant 
always  in  them.  The  latter,  who  has  since  undergone  a  confine- 
ment of  twelve  years  in  the  Bagne  at  Brest,  was  at  this  period  the 
most  expert  pickpocket  in  the  capital ;  he  excelled  in  extracting 
the  money  from  a  person's  pocket  and  transferring  it  into  his  own; 
with  him  the  transmutation  of  metals  was  reduced  to  a  simple  dis- 
placing, which  he  effected  with  incredible  talent. 

The  short  stay  in  the  church  of  St.  Roch  was  not  particularly 
productive;  however,  without  including  the  old  man's  watch,  he 
had  stolen  two  purses  and  some  other  articles  of  value. 

After  the  ceremony  had  terminated,  we  went  to  dine  at  a  coffee- 
house ;  the  worthies  paid  the  expenses,  and  nothing  was  spared ; 
we  drank  deeply,  and  at  the  dessert  they  confided  to  me  what  I 
could  not  fail  to  have  known.  At  first  they  only  mentioned  the 
purses,  in  which  they  found  a  hundred  and  seventy-five  francs  in 
hard  cash.  The  bill  paid,  there  remained  a  surplus  of  one  hundred 
francs,  of  which  they  handed  me  over  twenty  as  my  portion, 
counselling  me  to  be  silent  and  discreet.  As  money  has  no  name, 
I  thought  there  was  no  reason  for  a  refusal. 

The  party  appeared  enchanted  at  having  thus  initiated  me,  and 
two  flasks  of  Beaune  were  emptied  to  celebrate  the  occasion.  No 
mention  was  made  of  the  watch,  nor  did  I  allude  to  it ;  not  only 
that  I  might  appear  ignorant  of  it,  but  I  was  also  all  eyes  and  ears, 
and  was  not  slow  in  learning  that  it  was  in  Gaffre's  possession.  I 
then  began  to  assume  the  appearance  of  a  drunken  man,  and 
shamming  a  call  of  necessity,  I  desired  the  waiter  to  lead  me  where 
I  wished  to  go.  He  conducted  me  out,  and  when  alone  I  wrote 
with  a  pencil  this  note  : — 

( Gaffr£  and  Manigant  have  just  stolen  a  watch  in  the  church  of 

19 


290  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

Saint  Roch ;  in  an  hour,  unless  they  change  their  intention,  they 
will  cross  the  market  of  St.  Jean.  Gaffre  carries  the  spoil.' 

I  hastily  descended,  and  whilst  Gaffre'  and  his  confederate 
thought  me  engaged  up  five  pair  of  stairs,  I  got  into  the  street  and 
despatched  a  messenger  to  M.  Henry.  I  went  back  again  without 
loss  of  time,  and  my  absence  had  not  been  of  long  duration. 
When  I  entered  I  was  out  of  breath,  and  as  red  as  a  turkey-cock. 
They  asked  me  if  I  felt  better. 

'Yes,  a  great  deal,'  I  stammered  out,  and  falling  nearly  under 
the  table. 

*  Steady,  boys,  steady,'  said  Manigant. 
'  He  sees  double,'  observed  Gaffre. 

*  He  is  done  up,'  added  Compere,  '  quite  done  up,  but  the  air 
will  revive  him.' 

They  gave  me  some  sugar  and  water.     *  Go  to ,'  I  cried 

out     '  What !  water  for  me,  water  for  me  1' 

*  Yes,  it  will  do  you  good.' 
'  Do  you  think  so  ?' 

I  extended  my  hand,  but  instead  of  seizing  the  glass  I 
upset  and  broke  it.  I  then  played  a  few  silly  drunken  tricks, 
which  amused  the  party,  and  when  I  judged  that  M  Henry  had 
received  my  despatch,  and  taken  measures  accordingly,  I  insensibly 
came  to  myself. 

On  going  out,  I  saw  with  pleasure  that  our  route  was  not 
changed.  We  went  towards  the  market  of  St.  Jean,  and  there  saw 
a  file  of  soldiers.  When  I  saw  them  sitting  at  the  door,  I  did  not 
doubt  but  that  they  were  there  in  consequence  of  my  message, 
and  the  less  so  as  I  observed  Manager  the  inspector  following  us. 
When  we  passed  they  approached  us,  and,  taking  us  politely  by  the 
arm,  invited  us  to  enter  the  guard-house.  Gaffre'  could  not 
imagine  what  this  meant,  but  supposed  the  soldiers  were  in  error. 
He  wished  to  argue  the  point.  They  desired  him  to  obey,  and  he 
was  compelled  quietly  to  submit.  They  began  with  me,  but  found 
nothing ;  when  they  came  to  Gaffre"s  turn  he  was  not  at  all  easy. 
At  length  the  fatal  watch  was  produced  from  his  fob  :  he  was  a 
little  disconcerted,  but  at  the  moment  of  his  examination,  and  par- 
ticularly when  he  heard  the  commissary  say,  *  Write  :  a  watch  set 
with  brilliants]  he  turned  pale  and  looked  at  me.  Had  he  any 
suspicion  of  what  had  passed  ?  I  do  not  think  so,  for  he  was  con- 
vinced that  I  did  not  know  of  the  robbery  of  the  watch ;  and,  be- 
sides, he  was  sure  that,  if  I  had  known  it,  as  I  had  not  left  them, 
I  could  not  have  turned  nose. 

Gaffre',  on  being  questioned,  pretended  that  he  had  bought  the 
watch ;  they  were  persuaded  that  this  was  a  lie,  but  the  person  who 


GOUPIL.  291 

was  robbed  not  being  present  to  claim  his  property,  it  was  not  pos- 
sible to  condemn  it  He  was.  however,  confined  for  a  time 
in  Bicetre,  and  then  sent  under  surveillance  to  Tours,  whence 
at  a  later  period  he  returned  to  Paris.  This  villain  died  there  in 
1822. 

At  this  period,  the  police  had  so  little  confidence  in  their  agents, 
that  there  was  no  kind  of  expedient  to  which  they  had  not 
recourse  to  prove  them.  One  day  Goupil  was  let  loose  upon  me, 
and  came  with  a  singular  proposal. 

*  You  know  Francois,  the  publican,'  said  he  to  me. 
1  Yes,  and  what  of  that  ?' 

*  If  you  will  help  me,  we  will  draw  a  tooth  or  two  from  him.1 
'  How  ?' 

*  Why,  he  has  very  frequently  addressed  the  prefecture,  to  obtain 
permission  to  keep  open  house  during  part  of  the  night,  which  re- 
quest has  always  been  denied  ;  and  I  have  given  him  to  understand 
that  it  only  depends  upon  you  to  procure  what  he  is  so  anxious  to 
have.' 

'  You  are  wrong,  for  I  can  do  nothing.' 

'  You  can  do  nothing  !  very  true,  certainly  !  Oh,  you  can  do 
nothing,  but  you  can  buoy  him  up  with  the  hope  that  you  can 
do  it' 

'  That  is  true,  but  wherein  would  be  the  benefit  to  him  ? 

'  Say  the  benefit  to  us.  FranQois,  if  well  managed,  would  bleed 
well.  He  is  already  told  that  you  are  the  man  who  is  "all  in  all" 
in  the  administration ;  he  has  a  good  opinion  of  you,  and  so  no 
doubt  he  will  tip  freely  on  the  first  requisition.' 

'  Do  you  think  he  will  part  with  the  blunt? 

'  I  am  sure,  my  boy,  he  will  shell  out  six  hundred  francs  as 
easily  as  a  penny ;  we  shall  handle  the  ready,  that  is  the  main 
thing,  and  we  can  afterwards  leave  him  to  his  reflections.' 

*  Well,  but  he  will  be  enraged.' 

1  Never  mind,  let  him  do  his  worst ;  but  give  yourself  no 
trouble,  I  will  provide  for  all.  No  black  and  white  work  (writing) 
mind  ;  you  know  the  proverb,  "  Writings  are  men,  words  but 
women." ' 

4  True  as  gospel ;  no  receipt  for  cash  in  hand,  and  yet  we  can 
safely  pocket.' 

*  Certainly,  he  who  sows  should  reap  :  and  no  labour  no  profit. 
Meanwhile  I  will  go  and  see  how  the  land  lies,  and  sound  the  old 
boy.' 

Goupil  then  took  my  hand,  and,  shaking  it  heartily,  added,  *  I 
am  now  going  straight  to  Fran9ois  ;  I  will  tell  him  you  will  call 
in  the  evening  :  I  shall  fix  the  hour  for  eight  o'clock,  but  do  you 

19—2 


292  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

not  come  till  eleven,  because  (as  you  must  say)  you  will  have  been 
delayed  ;  at  midnight  we  shall  be  told  to  go  out,  you  must  appear 
to  comply  with  this  formality,  and  Frangois  will  seize  the  oppor- 
tunity of  urging  his  request.  You  are  a  man  of  experience,  and 
know  how  to  play  your  cards.  Farewell  for  the  present.' 

'  Adieu,'  I  replied,  and  we  separated.  Scarcely,  however,  had 
we  turned  our  backs  on  each  other  than  Goupil  returned. 

4  Oh  !'  said  he,  *  you  know  that  very  frequently  the  feathers  are 
more  valuable  than  the  bird  ;  I  want  a  pluck  at  the  feathers,  other- 
wise  '  and  he  assumed  a  peculiar  attitude,  opening  his 

enormous  mouth,  holding  his  hands  about  six  inches  from  the 
ground,  as  if  he  was  about  to  scrape  the  pavement,  and  completing 
the  menace  by  drawing  back  his  body  and  advancing  his  legs,  in 
which  the  mobility  of  his  feet  was  not  the  least  comical  part  of 
his  attitude. 

*  All's  right,'  said  I  to  Goupil,  'you  shall  not  swallow  me.  We 
will  divide, — it  is  a  bargain.' 

'  On  the  word  of  a  thief/ 

1  Yes,  make  yourself  easy/ 

Goupil  immediately  took  the  road  to  the  Courtille,  where  he 
very  frequently  went,  and  I  that  of  the  prefecture  of  police,  when 
I  informed  M.  Henry  of  the  proposal  made  to  me.  '  I  hope,' 
said  he,  'that  you  will  not  lend  yourself  to  the  plot.'  I  protested 
that  I  was  not  at  all  inclined  to  do  so,  and  he  evinced  his  pleasure 
at  my  free  communication.  *  Now,'  he  added,  '  I  will  give  you  a 
proof  of  the  interest  that  I  take  in  you  ;'  and  he  arose  to  reach 
from  his  chest  a  packet  of  papers,  which  he  opened.  *  You  see  it 
is  full,  and  they  are  all  reports  against  you  :  they  are  in  abundance, 
but  yet  I  employ  you,  because  I  do  not  believe  one  word  of  what 
they  say/ 

GafTre'  and  Goupil  having  failed  in  their  plans  for  my  destruc- 
tion, Corvet  resolved  to  try  his  success  in  the  same  way.  One 
morning,  when  I  was  in  want  of  some  particular  information,  I 
went  to  the  house  of  this  agent,  whose  wife  was  also  attached  to 
the  police.  I  found  both  man  and  wife  at  their  lodging,  and 
although  I  only  knew  them  from  having  once  or  twice  co-operated 
with  them  in  some  unimportant  discoveries,  they  gave  me  the  in- 
formation I  required  with  so  much  good-will,  that,  like  a  man  who 
has  the  feelings  of  good-fellowship  towards  those  with  whom  he  is 
associated,  I  offered  to  regale  them  with  a  bottle  of  wine  at  the 
nearest  cabaret.  Corvet  alone  accepted  the  proffer,  and  we  went 
together  and  seated  ourselves  in  a  private  room. 

The  wine  was  excellent ;  we  drank  one,  two,  three  bottles.  A 
private  room  and  three  bottles  of  wine  lead  on  to  confidence. 


CORVET.  293 

About  an  hour  afterwards,  I  thought  I  perceived  that  Corvet  had 
some  proposal  to  make,  and  at  length  he  somewhat  suddenly  said, 
*  Listen,  Vidocq'  (and  he  knocked  his  glass  on  the  table  with  some 
emphasis),  you  are  a  jolly  lad,  but  you  are  not  open  amongst 
friends  ;  we  know  well  enough  that  you  are  a  fellow  workman,  but 
you're  a  deep  file  :  we  two  might  do  a  fine  stroke  of  business.' 
I  pretended  not  to  comprehend  him. 

*  Nonsense,  come,  come,'  he  replied,   *  no  gammon,  that  will  not 
go  down  with  me,   I  know  you  are  a  cunning  fellow ;  although  I 
don't  know  your  place  of  work,   I  will  speak  to  you  as  I  would  to 
my  own  brother,  if  I  think  I  may  depend  upon  you.    It  is  all  very 
well  to  serve  the  police,  but  there  is  nothing  to  be  made  out  of  it, 
and  a  crown  changed  is  a  crown  spent  and  gone.    Now,  if  you  will 
keep  counsel,  there  is  a  job  or  two  which  I  have  in  my  eye  which 
we  will  do  together,  and  which  will  not  hinder  us  from  doing  our 
friends  a  good  turn.' 

'  How/  said  I,  '  would  you  abuse  the  confidence  placed  in  you? 
That  is  not  right,  and  I  am  sure  that  if  it  were  known  at  the  pre- 
fecture, they  would  give  you  two  or  three  years  of  it  at  Bicetre.' 

'  Ah  !  you  are  like  all  the  rest,'  replied  Corvet,  '  you  are  going  to 
be  mealy-mouthed  and  squeamish  ;  you  are  delicate,  are  you  ? 
Come,  come,  we  know  one  another.' 

I  testified  much  astonishment  at  his  holding  such  language  to 
me,  and  added  that  I  was  fully  persuaded  that  he  only  said  so  to 
try  me,  or  perhaps  lay  a  snare  for  me. 

4  A  snare !'  cried  he,  '  a  snare  !  I  bring  you  into  trouble  ?  I 
had  rather  put  my  own  neck  in  jeopardy ;  you  must  be  mad  to 
suppose  it  I  do  not  beat  about  the  bush  ;  when  I  say  anything 
it  is  blunt  and  straightforward ;  with  me  there  is  no  back  door, 
and  as  a  proof  that  all  is  not  as  you  believe,  I  will  tell  you  that  no 
later  than  this  evening  I  am  going  to  work.  I  have  already  laid 
my  plan,  the  keys  are  made,  and  if  you  will  come  with  me,  you 
shall  see  how  I  will  do  the  job.' 

'  I  doubt  you  have  either  lost  your  senses,  or  you  wish  to 
entangle  me  in  your  net' 

*  What,  do  you  not  give  me  any  credit  for  better  feelings  ?     (Ele- 
vating his  voice).    '  I  tell  you  then  you  shall  not  have  a  finger  in  the 
pie.     What  more  would  you  have  ?     I  shall  take  my  wife  with  me, 
it  will  not  be  the  first  time,  but  it  will  be  the  last  if  you  choose  to 
make  it  so.     With  two  men  there  is  always  a  resource  at  hand. 
The  business  of  to-day  regards  you  nothing ;  you  will  wait  for  us 
in  the  coffee-house  at  the  corner  of  the  Rue  de  la  Tabletterie.     It 
is  almost  facing  where  we  are  going  to  work,  and  as  soon  as  you 
stc  us  come  out  do  you  follow  ;  we  will  sell  the  booty,  and  we  will 


294  MEMOIRS  OF  V1DOCQ. 

go  snacks.  After  that  you  will  no  longer  distrust  us.  What  think 
you?' 

There  was  so  much  appearance  of  sincerity  in  this  discourse, 
that  I  really  hardly  knew  how  to  act  with  Corvet.  Did  he  want 
an  accomplice,  or  did  he  seek  a  means  of  destroying  me  ?  I  have 
still  my  doubts  on  this  point,  but  in  either  case  Corvet  was  a 
manifest  rogue. 

By  his  own  confession  his  wife  and  he  committed  robberies.  If 
he  had  spoken  the  truth,  it  was  my  duty  to  deliver  him  up  to 
justice ;  if,  on  the  contrary,  he  had  lied,  in  the  hope  of  entrapping 
me  into  a  criminal  action  to  denounce  me,  it  was  only  right  to 
prosecute  the  plot  to  its  termination,  that  I  might  show  to  the 
authorities  that  to  tempt  me  was  labour  in  vain. 

I  had  endeavoured  to  dissuade  Corvet  from  his  design,  but 
when  I  saw  that  he  persisted,  I  feigned  to  allow  myself  to  be 
seduced. 

4  Well  then,'  I  said,  '  since  it  must  be  so,  I  accept  the  proposal.' 

He  instantly  embraced  me,  and  the  rendezvous  was  fixed  for 
four  o'clock,  at  a  vintner's.  Corvet  returned  home,  and  as  soon 
as  he  had  left  me  I  wrote  to  M.  Allemaine,  commissary  of  police, 
in  the  Rue  Cimetiere  St.  Nicholas,  to  inform  him  of  the  robbery 
which  was  to  be  perpetrated  in  the  evening.  I  gave  him,  at  the 
same  time,  all  the  necessary  information  for  seizing  on  the  culprits 
in  the  very  commission  of  their  crime. 

I  was  at  my  post  at  the  agreed  hour ;  Corvet  and  his  wife  were 
not  long  after  me,  and  after  drinking  a  bottle  or  two  of  wine  to 
cheer  them  in  their  work,  they  proceeded  on  their  enterprise.  A 
moment  afterwards,  and  I  saw  them  enter  a  courtyard  in  the  Rue 
de  la  Haumerie.  The  commissary  had  so  well  contrived  that  he 
apprehended  the  two  at  the  moment  when,  laden  with  booty,  they 
left  the  apartment  they  had  ransacked.  This  couple  were  con- 
demned to  ten  years'  confinement. 

During  the  trial  Corvet  and  his  wife  asserted  that  I  had 
tempted  them  to  the  robbery.  Certainly  in  the  line  I  had  pursued 
there  was  nothing  that  could  be  construed  into  such  a  temptation ; 
besides,  in  a  robbery,  I  did  not  see  how  there  can  be  any  provo- 
cation possible.  A  man  is  honest  or  he  is  not ;  if  he  be  honest, 
no  consideration  can  be  sufficiently  powerful  to  determine  him  on 
committing  a  crime  ;  if  he  be  not,  he  only  wants  the  opportunity, 
and  is  it  not  evident  tnat  it  will  offer  itself  sooner  or  later  ? 


NOVEL  ROBBERIES.  95 


CHAPTER    XXVII. 

Destruction  of  three  classes  of  thieves— A  new  species— The  Brothers 
Delzeve. 

IN  1 8 10  robberies  of  a  new  kind  and  inconceivable  boldness 
suddenly  awakened  the  police  to  the  knowledge  of  the  existence 
of  a  troop  of  malefactors  of  a  novel  description. 

Nearly  all  the  robberies  had  been  committed  by  ladders  and 
forcible  entries  ;  apartments  on  the  first  and  even  second  floor  had 
been  broken  into  by  these  extraordinary  thieves,  who,  till  then, 
had  confined  themselves  to  rich  houses  ;  and  it  was  evident  that 
these  robbers  must  have  had  a  knowledge  of  the  localities,  by  the 
method  of  their  burglaries. 

All  my  efforts  to  discover  these  adroit  thieves  were  without 
success,  when  a  burglary,  which  seemed  almost  impracticable,  was 
committed  in  the  Rue  Saint-Claude,  near  the  Rue  Bourbon- 
Villeneuve,  in  an  apartment  in  the  second  floor  above  the 
*  entresol,'  in  a  house  in  which  the  commissary  of  police  for  the 
district  actually  resided.  The  cord  of  the  lantern  which  hung  at 
his  house-door  had  served  for  a  ladder. 

A  nosebag  (a  small  bag  in  which  corn  is  put  for  horses  to  feed 
from  when  on  the  coach-stand)  had  been  left  on  the  spot,  which 
gave  rise  to  a  surmise  that  the  perpetrators  might  be  hackney- 
coachmen,  or,  at  least,  that  hackney-coaches  had  been  employed 
in  the  enterprise. 

M.  Henry  directed  me  to  make  my  observations  amongst  the 
coachmen,  and  I  discovered  that  the  nosebag  had  belonged  to  a 
man  named  Husson,  who  drove  the  fiacre  No.  712.  I  reported 
this  :  Husson  was  apprehended,  and  from  him  we  obtained  infor- 
mation concerning  two  brothers  named  Delzeve,  the  elder  of 
whom  was  soon  in  the  hands  of  the  police  ;  and  on  his  interroga- 
tion by  M.  Henry,  he  made  such  important  discoveries  as  led  to 
the  apprehension  of  one  Mitral,  a  room-cleaner  in  the  palace  of 
the  Empress  Josephine.  He  was  stated  to  be  the  receiver  of  the 
band,  composed  almost  entirely  of  Savoyards,  born  in  the  depart- 
ment of  Leman.  The  continuation  of  my  search  led  to  my 
securing  them  all,  twenty-two  in  number,  who  were  subsequently 
condemned  to  imprisonment. 

These  robbers  were  for  the  greater  part  messengers,  room- 
cleaners,  or  coachmen ;  that  is,  they  belonged  to  a  class  of 
individuals  proverbial  for  honesty,  and  who  from  time  immemorial 
had  been  celebrated  for  probity  throughout  Paris ;  in  their  district 
they  were  all  considered  as  honest  men,  incapable  of  appropriating 
to  themselves  the  property  of  another;  and  this  opinion  con- 


296  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

tributed  to  render  them  the  more  formidable,  as  the  persons  who 
employed  them,  either  in  sawing  wood  or  in  any  other  kind  of 
work,  had  no  distrust  of  them,  and  gave  them  free  ingress  and 
egress  everywhere,  and  at  all  times.  When  it  was  known  that 
they  were  implicated  in  a  criminal  affair,  they  were  not  believed 
to  be  guilty,  and  I  myself  for  some  time  hesitated  in  my  opinion. 
However,  evidence  was  adduced  which  was  against  them,  and 
the  ancient  renown  of  the  Savoyards,  in  a  capital  in  which  they 
had  resided  unsuspected  for  ages,  was  blasted,  never  again  to 
flourish. 

During  the  year  1812  I  had  rendered  to  justice  the  principals  of 
the  band  :  but  Delzeve  the  younger  had  baffled  all  efforts  to 
capture  him,  and  bid  defiance  to  the  pursuits  of  justice,  when,  on 
the  3ist  of  December,  M.  Henry  said  to  me,  'I  think,  if  we 
manage  well,  we  can  get  hold  of  the  crab  Ecrevisse  (Delzeve's 
cognomen) :  to-morrow  will  be  New  Year's  day,  and  he  will  be 
sure  to  visit  the  washerwoman,  who  has  so  often  given  him  an 
asylum,  as  well  as  his  brother ;  I  have  a  presentiment  that  he  will 
be  there  this  evening  or  during  the  night,  or  certainly  early  in  the 
morning.' 

I  was  of  the  same  opinion ;  and  M.  Henry  ordered  me  to  go, 
with  three  officers,  and  place  ourselves  on  the  watch,  near  the 
washerwoman's  house,  who  lived  in  the  Rue  de  Gresillon. 

I  received  this  command  with  a  satisfaction  which  is  always 
with  me  a  presage  of  good  luck.  Attended  by  the  three  inspectors, 
I  went,  at  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening,  to  the  appointed  spot.  It 
was  bitterly  cold,  the  ground  covered  with  snow,  and  never  had 
winter  been  more  severe. 

We  stationed  ourselves  in  ambuscade ;  and,  after  many  hours, 
the  inspectors,  nipped  with  cold,  and  unable  any  longer  to  endure 
it,  proposed  that  we  should  quit  our  station.  I  was  half-frozen, 
having  no  covering  but  the  light  garment  of  a  messenger.  I  made 
some  remarks  to  them,  and,  although  it  would  have  been  infinitely 
more  agreeable  to  me  to  have  retired,  we  determined  to  remain 
till  midnight  Scarcely  had  the  hour  agreed  upon  struck,  than 
they  claimed  of  me  the  fulfilment  of  my  promise,  and  we  quitted 
our  post,  which  we  had  been  ordered  to  keep  till  daybreak. 

We  went  towards  the  Palais  Royal ;  a  coffee-house  was  open, 
which  we  entered  to  warm  ourselves,  and  having  taken  a  bowl  of 
hot  wine  we  separated,  each  to  go  to  his  own  home.  As  I  went 
towards  mine,  I  reflected  on  what  I  was  doing. — 'What!'  said  I 
to  myself,  '  so  soon  forget  instructions  which  have  been  given  to 
me  :  thus  to  deceive  the  confidence  of  my  superior;  it  is  an  un- 
pardonable baseness  !  My  conduct  not  only  seems  reprehensible, 


*  THE  CRAB:  297 

but  I  think  that  it  even  deserves  the  most  severe  punishment.'  I 
was  in  despair  at  having  complied  with  the  wishes  of  the  inspec- 
tors ;  and,  resolute  in  repairing  my  fault,  determined  to  return 
alone  to  the  post  assigned,  and  pass  the  night  there,  even  if  I  died 
on  the  spot.  I  then  returned  and  ensconced  myself  in  a  corner, 
that  I  might  not  be  seen  by  Delzeve,  in  case  he  should  come. 

For  an  hour  and  a  half  I  remained  in  this  position,  until  my 
blood  congealed,  and  I  felt  my  courage  weakening,  when  suddenly 
a  luminous  idea  shone  upon  me.  At  a  short  distance  was  a  dung- 
hill, whose  smoke  betrayed  a  state  of  fermentation  :  this  depot  is 
called  the  lay-stall  :  I  ran  towards  it ;  and  having  made  a  hole  in 
one  corner,  sufficiently  deep  to  admit  me  up  to  my  waist,  I  jumped 
into  it,  and  a  comfortable  warmth  soon  re-established  the  circula- 
tion of  my  blood.  At  five  in  the  morning,  I  was  still  in  my  lurk- 
ing-place, where  I  did  very  well,  except  from  the  fumes  which  in- 
vaded my  nostrils.  At  length  the  door  of  the  house,  which  was 
the  one  pointed  out  to  me,  opened  to  let  out  a  woman,  who  did 
not  shut  it  after  her.  Instantly,  and  without  noise,  I  leaped  from 
the  dung-heap ;  and  entering  the  court,  looked  about  me,  but  saw 
no  light  from  any  part. 

I  knew  that  Delzeve's  associates  had  a  peculiar  way  of  whistling 
for  him;  it  was  the  coachman's  whistle,  and  known  to  me;  I 
imitated  it;  and,  at  the  second  attempt,  I  heard  some  one  ex- 
claim, '  Who  calls  ?' 

'It  is  the  "chauffeur"  (a  coachman  from  whom  Delzeve  had 
learnt  to  drive)  who  whistles  for  the  crab.' 

*  Is  it  you  ?'  cried  the  same  voice,  which  I  knew  to  be  Delzeve's. 

*  Yes  ;  the  chauffeur  wants  you.     Come  down.' 
*I  am  coming — wait  a  minute.' 

*  It  is  very  cold/  I  replied  ;  *  I  will  wait  for  you  at  the  public- 
house  at  the  corner  ;  make  haste— do  you  hear  ?' 

The  public-house  was  already  open ;  for,  on  New  Year's  day, 
they  have  custom  betimes.  But  I  was  not  tempted  to  drink ;  and 
that  I  might  trap  Delzeve,  I  opened  the  side  door,  and  then,  letting 
it  shut  with  violence,  without  actually  going  out,  I  concealed  my- 
self under  a  flight  of  steps.  Soon  afterwards  Delzeve  came  down, 
and  on  perceiving  him  I  jumped  at  him,  seized  his  collar,  and 
holding  a  pistol  to  his  breast,  told  him  he  was  my  prisoner. 
'  Follow  me,'  I  said,  c  and  make  the  slightest  signal  at  your  peril ; 
besides,  I  am  not  alone.' 

Dumb  with  surprise,  Delzeve  made  no  answer,  but  followed  me 
mechanically.  I  fastened  his  hands,  and  he  was  then  incapacitated 
from  either  resisting  or  flying  from  me. 

I  hastened  to  convey  him  away,  and  the  clock  struck  six  as  we 


298  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

entered  the  Rue  du  Rocher  ;  a  hackney-coach  was  passing,  which 
I  hailed,  but  the  man,  seeing  me  covered  with  dirt,  hesitated,  until 
I  offered  him  double  hire  :  and  led  by  that,  he  condescended  to 
take  us  up,  and  we  were  soon  rolling  over  the  pavement  of  Paris. 
To  make  assurance  doubly  sure,  I  tightened  his  wrist-cuffs,  lest, 
having  come  to  himself,  he  might  have  rebelled ;  and  although,  in 
a  personal  conflict,  I  should  have  been  sure  of  victory,  yet,  as  I 
contemplated  bringing  him  to  a  confession,  I  was  unwilling  to  have 
any  quarrel ;  and  blows,  which  would  have  been  inevitably  the 
result  of  rebellion,  would  decidedly  have  produced  this  result. 

Delzeve  felt  aware  of  the  impossibility  of  escape,  and  I  en- 
deavoured to  make  him  hear  reason  :  that  I  might  completely 
wheedle  him,  I  offered  him  some  refreshment,  which  he  accepted; 
and  the  coachman  having  procured  us  some  wine,  we  kept  driving 
about  and  drinking,  without  any  determined  plan. 

It  was  still  early,  and  persuaded  that  it  would  be  advantageous 
to  prolong  our  tete-a-tete,  I  proposed  to  Delzeve,  that  we  should  go 
and  breakfast  in  a  place  where  we  could  have  a  private  room.  He 
was  then  quieted ;  and  appearing  hopeless  of  escape,  accepted  my 
offer,  and  I  took  him  to  the  Cadran  Bleu ;  but,  before  we  got 
there,  he  had  already  told  me  many  pieces  of  important  informa- 
tion as  to  the  number  of  his  accomplices  still  at  large  in  Paris  ; 
and  I  felt  convinced  that,  at  table,  he  would  make  *  a  clean  breast 
of  it.'  I  made  him  understand  that  the  only  way  to  propitiate  the 
favour  of  justice,  was  to  confess  all  he  knew ;  and  to  fortify  his 
resolution  in  this  case,  I  used  some  arguments  of  a  peculiar 
philosophy,  which  I  have  always  employed  with  success  in  consol- 
ing criminals  ;  and  at  length  he  was  perfectly  disposed  to  do  all 
I  wished,  when  the  coach  reached  the  cook-shop.  I  made  him 
go  upstairs  first,  and  when  I  had  ordered  the  breakfast,  I  told  him 
that,  being  desirous  of  eating  my  meal  at  my  ease,  I  must  confine 
him  as  I  wished.  I  agreed  that  he  should  be  left  sufficiently  un- 
shackled to  exercise  his  arms  at  the  game  of  knife  and  fork  ;  and, 
at  table,  no  one  could  desire  greater  freedom.  He  was  not  at  all 
offended  at  the  proposition,  and  I  thus  contrived  it : — with  two 
napkins  I  tied  each  leg  to  the  foot  of  his  chair,  three  or  four  inches 
from  the  bar,  which  prevented  him  from  attempting  to  rise  without 
the  risk  of  breaking  his  head  by  a  fall. 

He  breakfasted  with  much  appetite,  and  promised  to  repeat  be- 
fore M.  Henry  all  that  he  had  confessed  to  me.  At  noon  we  left 
the  cafe,  Delzeve  being  well  primed  with  wine,  and  getting  into  a 
coach,  quite  friends  and  on  good  terms  with  each  other,  we  reached 
the  prefecture  ten  minutes  afterwards.  M.  Henry  was  then  sur- 
rounded by  his  police-officers,  who  were  paying  him  the  compli 


MADAME  NOEL.  299 

ments  of  the  New  Year's  day.  I  entered  and  addressed  this 
salutation  to  him  : — *  I  have  the  honour  to  wish  you  a  happy  and 
prosperous  year,  and  to  present  to  you  the  redoubtable  Delzeve. ' 

'This  is  indeed  a  New  Year's  gift,'  said  M.  Henry  to  me 
when  he  perceived  the  prisoner,  and  then,  turning  to  the  officers  of 
peace  and  security  :  '  It  would  be  a  desirable  thing,  gentlemen, 
that  each  of  you  should  have  a  similar  present  to  offer  to  your 
preTet.'  Immediately  afterwards  he  gave  me  the  order  for  con- 
ducting Delzeve  to  the  depot,  saying,  with  much  kindness:  'Vidocq, 
go  and  take  '  -  repose;  I  am  much  satisfied  with  your  conduct' 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

More  thief-chasing— Another '  mother  of  robbers'— An  admirable  plot— Mother 
Noel  sent  to  St.  Lazare. 

IT  is  very  rare  that  a  fugitive  galley-slave  escapes  with  any  inten- 
tion of  amendment ;  most  frequently  the  aim  is  to  gain  the 
capital,  and  then  put  in  practice  the  vicious  lessons  acquired  in 
the  Bagnes,  which,  like  most  of  our  prisons,  are  schools  in  which 
they  perfect  themselves  in  the  art  of  appropriating  to  themselves 
the  property  of  another.  Nearly  all  celebrated  robbers  only  be- 
came expert  after  passing  some  time  at  the  galleys.  Some  have 
undergone  five  or  six  sentences  before  they  became  thorough 
scoundrels ;  such  as  the  famous  Victor  Desbois,  and  his  comrade 
Mongenet,  called  Le  Tambour  (Drummer),  who  during  various 
visits  to  Paris  committed  a  vast  many  of  those  robberies  on  which 
people  love  to  descant  as  proofs  of  boldness  and  address. 

These  two  men,  who  for  many  years  were  sent  away  with  every 
chain,  and  as  frequently  escaped,  were  once  more  back  again 
in  Paris ;  the  police  got  information  of  it,  and  I  received  the  order 
to  search  for  them.  All  testified  that  they  had  acquaintances  with 
other  robbers  no  less  formidable  than  themselves.  A  music  mis- 
tress, whose  son,  called  Noel  with  the  Spectacles,  was  a  celebrated 
robber,  was  suspected  of  harbouring  these  thieves.  Madame  Noel 
was  a  well-educated  woman  and  an  admirable  musician ;  she  was 
esteemed  a  most  accomplished  performer  by  the  middle  class  of 
tradespeople,  who  employed  her  to  give  lessons  to  their  daughters. 
She  was  well  known  in  the  Marais  and  the  Quartier  Saint  Denis, 
where  the  polish  of  her  manners,  the  elegance  of  her  language,  the 
gentility  of  her  dress,  and  that  indescribable  air  of  superiority 
which  the  reverse  of  fortune  can  never  entirely  destroy,  gave  rise 
to  the  current  belief  that  she  was  a  member  of  one  of  those 
numerous  families  to  whom  the  Revolution  had  only  left  its  hauteur 
and  its  regrets. 


300  MEMOIRS  OF  V1DOCQ. 

To  those  who  heard  and  saw  her  without  being  acquainted, 
Madame  Noel  was  a  most  interesting  little  woman ;  and  besides, 
there  was  something  touching  in  her  situation ;  it  was  a  mystery, 
and  no  one  knew  what  had  become  of  her  husband.  Some  said 
that  she  had  been  early  left  in  a  state  of  widowhood ;  others  that 
she  had  been  forsaken ;  and  a  third  affirmed  that  she  was  a  victim 
of  seduction.  I  know  not  which  of  these  conjectures  approaches 
nearest  to  the  truth,  but  I  know  very  well  that  Madame  Noel  was 
a  little  brunette,  whose  sparkling  eye  and  roguish  look  were  softened 
down  by  that  gentle  demeanour  which  seemed  to  increase  the 
sweetness  of  her  smile  and  the  tone  of  her  voice,  which  was  in  the 
highest  degree  musical.  There  was  a  mixture  of  the  angel  and 
demon  in  her  face,  but  the  latter  perhaps  preponderated  ;  for  time 
had  developed  those  traits  which  characterise  evil  thoughts. 

Madame  Noel  was  obliging  and  good,  but  only  towards  those 
individuals  who  were  at  issue  with  justice  ;  she  received  them  as 
the  mother  of  a  soldier  would  welcome  the  comrade  of  her  son. 
To  insure  a  welcome  with  her,  it  was  enough  to  belong  to  the  same 
'regiment'  as  Noel  with  the  Spectacles';  and  then,  as  much  for 
love  of  him  as  from  inclination  perhaps,  she  would  do  all  in  her 
power  to  aid,  and  was  consequently  looked  upon  as  a  *  mother  of 
robbers.'  At  her  house  they  found  shelter ;  it  was  she  who  pro- 
vided for  all  their  wants  ;  she  carried  her  complaisance  so  far  as 
to  seek  '  jobs  of  work '  for  them ;  and  when  a  passport  was  in- 
dispensably requisite  for  their  safety,  she  was  not  quiet  until  by 
some  means  she  had  succeeded  in  procuring  one.  Madame  Noel 
had  many  friends  among  her  own  sex,  and  it  was  generally  in  one 
of  their  names  that  the  passport  was  obtained.  A  powerful  mixture 
of  oxygenated  muriatic  acid  obliterated  the  writing ;  and  the 
description  of  the  gentleman  who  required  it,  as  well  as  the  name 
which  it  suited  his  purpose  to  assume,  replaced  the  feminine  de- 
scription. Madame  Noel  had  generally  by  her  a  supply  of  these 
accommodating  passports,  which  were  filled  according  to  circum- 
stances, and  the  wants  of  the  party  requiring  such  assistance. 

All  the  galley-slaves  were  children  of  Madame  Noel,  but  those 
were  the  most  in  favour  who  could  give  her  any  account  of  her 
son  ;  for  them  her  devotion  was  boundless ;  her  house  was  open 
to  all  fugitives,  who  made  it  their  rendezvous ;  and  there  must  be 
gratitude  even  amongst  them,  for  the  police  were  informed  that 
they  came  frequently  to  Mother  Noel's  for  the  pleasure  of  seeing 
her  only;  she  was  the  confidante  of  all  their  plans,  all  their 
adventures,  all  their  fears ;  in  fact,  they  communicated  all  un- 
reservedly, and  never  had  cause  to  regret  their  reliance  on  her 
fidelity. 


MADAME  NOEL.  301 

Mother  Noel  had  never  seen  me ;  my  features  were  quite  un- 
known to  her,  although  she  had  frequently  heard  of  my  name. 
There  was  then  no  difficulty  in  presenting  myself  before  her,  with- 
out giving  her  any  cause  for  alarm ;  but  to  get  her  to  point  out  to 
me  the  hiding-place  of  the  men  I  sought  to  detect  was  the  end  I 
aimed  at.  and  I  felt  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  attain  it  without 
much  skill  and  management. 

At  first,  I  resolved  on  passing  myself  off  as  a  fugitive  galley-slave; 
but  it  was  necessary  to  borrow  the  name  of  some  thief,  whom  her 
son  or  his  comrades  had  mentioned  to  her  in  advantageous  terms. 
Moreover,  a  little  resemblance  was  positively  requisite,  and  I 
endeavoured  to  recollect  if  there  were  not  one  of  the  galley-slaves 
whom  I  knew  who  had  been  associated  with  Noel  with  the 
Spectacles,  and  I  could  not  remember  one  of  my  age,  or  whose 
person  and  features  at  all  resembled  mine.  At  last,  by  dint  of 
much  effort  of  memory,  I  recalled  to  mind  one  Germain,  alias 
Royer,  alias  the  '  Captain,'  who  had  been  an  intimate  acquaintance 
of  Noel's,  and  although  our  similarity  was  very  slight,  yet  I 
determined  on  personating  him.  Germain,  as  well  as  myself,  had 
often  escaped  from  the  Bagnes,  and  that  was  the  only  point  of 
resemblance  between  us :  he  was  about  my  age,  but  a  smaller- 
framed  man  ;  he  had  dark  brown  hair,  mine  was  light ;  he  was 
thin,  and  I  tolerably  stout;  his  complexion  was  sallow,  and  mine  fair, 
with  a  very  clear  skin  ;  besides,  Germain  had  an  excessively  long 
nose,  took  a  vast  dear  of  snuff  which,  begriming  his  nostrils  out- 
sicte,  and  stuffing  them  up  within,  gave  him  a  peculiarly  nasal  tone 
of  voice.  I  had  much  to  do  in  personating  Germain  ;  but  the 
difficulty  did  not  deter  me ;  my  hair,  cut  a  la  mode  des  Bagnes,  was 
dyed  black,  as  well  as  my  beard,  after  it  had  attained  a  growth  of 
eight  days ;  to  embrown  my  countenance  I  washed  it  with  white 
walnut  liquor;  and  to  perfect  the  imitation,  I  garnished  my  upper 
lip  thickly  with  a  kind  of  coffee-grounds,  which  I  plastered  on  by 
means  of  gum  arabic,  and  thus  became  as  nasal  in  my  twang  as 
Germain  himself.  My  feet  were  doctored  with  equal  care ;  I  made 
blisters  on  them  by  rubbing  in  a  certain  composition,  of  which  I 
had  obtained  the  recipe  at  Brest.  I  also  made  the  marks  of  the 
fetters  ;  and  when  all  my  toilet  was  finished,  dressed  myself  in 
the  suitable  garb.  I  had  neglected  nothing  which  could  complete 
the  metamorphosis ; — neither  the  shoes  nor  the  marks  of  those 
horrid  letters,  GAL.  The  costume  was  perfect ;  and  the  only 
thing  wanting  was  a  hundred  of  those  companionable  insects  which 
people  the  solitudes  of  poverty,  and  which  were,  I  believe,  together 
with  locusts  and  toads,  one  of  the  seven  plagues  of  old  Egypt.  I 
procured  some  for  money ;  and  as  soon  as  they  were  a  little 


302  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

accustomed  to  their  new  domicile,  which  was  speedily  the  case,  I 
directed  my  steps  towards  the  residence  of  Madame  Noel,  in  the 
Rue  Ticquetonne. 

I  arrived  there,  and  knocking  at  the  door,  she  opened  it ;  a 
glance  convincing  her  how  matters  stood  with  me,  she  desired  me 
to  enter,  and  on  finding  myself  alone  with  her,  I  told  her  who  I 
was.  'Ah,  my  poor  lad,'  she  cried,  *  there  is  no  occasion  to  tell 
me  where  you  have  come  from ;  I  am  sure  you  must  be  dying  with 
hunger.' — 'Oh  yes,'  I  answered,  'lam  indeed  hungry;  I  have 
tasted  nothing  for  twenty-four  hours.'  Instantly,  without  further 
question,  she  went  out,  and  returned  with  a  dish  of  hog's  puddings 
and  a  bottle  of  wine,  which  she  placed  before  me.  I  did  not  eat, 
I  actually  devoured ;  I  stuffed  myself,  and  all  had  disappeared 
without  my  saying  a  word  between  my  first  mouthful  and  my  last. 
Mother  Noel  was  delighted  at  my  appetite,  and  when  the  cloth  was 
removed,  she  gave  me  a  dram.  *  Ah,  mother/  I  exclaimed,  em- 
bracing her,  '  you  restore  me  to  life  ;  Noel  told  me  how  good  and 
kind  you  were  ;'  and  I  then  began  to  give  her  a  statement  of  how 
I  had  left  her  son  eighteen  days  before,  and  gave  her  information 
of  all  the  prisoners  in  whom  she  felt  interested.  The  details  were 
so  true  and  well  known,  that  she  could  have  no  idea  that  I  was  an 
impostor, 

'  You  must  have  heard  of  me/  I  continued ;  '  I  have  gone 
through  many  an  enterprise,  and  experienced  many  a  reverse. 
I  am  called  Germain,  or  the  Captain  ;  you  must  know  my  name.' 

'  Yes,  yes,  my  friend/  she  said,  '  I  know  you  well ;  my  son 
and  his  friends  have  told  me  of  your  misfortunes ;  welcome, 
welcome,  my  dear  captain.  But,  heavens !  what  a  state  you  are 
in ;  you  must  not  remain  in  such  a  plight  I  see  you  are  infested 

with  those  wretched  tormenting  beasts  who ;  but  I  will  get  you 

a  change  of  linen,  and  contrive  something  as  a  comfortable  dress 
for  you.' 

I  expressed  my  gratitude  to  Madame  Noel ;  and  when  I  saw  a 
good  opportunity,  without  giving  cause  for  the  slightest  suspicion, 
I  asked  what  had  become  of  Victor  Desbois  and  his  comrade 
Mongenet.  *  Desbois  and  Le  Tambour  ?  Ah  !  my  dear,  do  not 
mention  them,  I  beg  of  you/  she  replied  ;  '  that  rogue  Vidocq  has 
given  them  very  great  uneasiness ;  since  one  Joseph  (Joseph 
Longueville,  an  old  police  inspector),  whom  they  have  twice  met 
in  the  streets,  told  them  that  there  would  soon  be  a  search  in  this 
quarter,  they  have  been  compelled  to  cut  and  run,  to  avoid  being 
taken.' 

'  What/  cried  I,  with  a  disappointed  air,  '  are  they  no  longer  in 
Paris? 


MADAME  NOEL.  303 

'  Oh,  they  are  not  very  far  distant/  replied  Mother  Noel ;  *  they 
have  not  quitted  the  environs  of  the  "  great  village  "  (Paris) ;  I 
dare  say  we  shall  soon  see  them,  for  I  trust  they  will  speedily  pay 
me  a  visit.  I  think  they  will  be  delighted  to  find  you  here.' 

*  Oh,  I  assure  you,'  said  I,  '  that  they  will  not  be  more  delighted 
at  the  meeting  than  myself ;  and  if  you  can  write  to  them,  I  am 
sure  they  would  eagerly  send  for  me  to  join  them.' 

*  If  I  knew  where  they  were,'  replied  Mother  Noel>  '  I  would  go 
myself  and  seek  for  them  to  please  you ;  but  I  do  not  know  their 
retreat,  and  the  best  thing  for  us  to  do  is  to  be  patient  and  await 
their  arrival.' 

In  my  quality  of  a  new-comer,  I  excited  all  Madame  Noel's 
compassion  and  solicitude,  and  she  attended  to  nothing  but  me. 
'  Are  you  known  to  Vidocq  and  his  two  bull-dogs,  Levesque  and 
Compere  ?'  she  inquired. 

'Alas  !  yes,'  was  my  reply  ;  'they  have  caught  me  twice.' 

I  In  that  case,  then,  be  on  your  guard :  Vidocq  is  often  dis- 
guised ;  he  assumes  characters,  costumes,  and  shapes  to  get  hold 
of  unfortunates  like  yourself.' 

We  conversed  together  for  two  hours,  when  Madame  Noel 
offered  me  a  foot-bath,  which  I  accepted ;  and  when  it  was  pre- 
pared, I  took  off  my  shoes  and  stockings,  on  which  she  discovered 
my  wounded  feet,  and  said,  with  a  most  commiserating  tone  and 
manner,  '  How  I  pity  you  ;  what  must  you  suffer  !  Why  did  you 
not  tell  me  of  this  at  first  ?  you  deserve  to  be  scolded  for  it.'  And 
whilst  thus  reproaching  me,  she  examined  my  feet ;  and  then, 
pricking  the  blisters,  drew  a  piece  of  worsted  through  each,  and 
anointed  my  feet  with  a  salve  which  she  assured  me  would  have 
the  effect  of  speedily  curing  them. 

The  bath  concluded,  she  brought  me  some  clean  linen  ;  and,  as 
she  thought  of  all  that  was  needful,  added  a  razor,  recommending 
me  to  shave.  '  I  shall  then  see,'  she  added,  '  about  buying  you 
some  workman's  clothes,  as  that  is  the  best  disguise  for  men  who 
wish  to  pass  unnoticed  ;  and  besides,  good  luck  will  turn  up,  and 
then  you  will  get  yourself  some  new  ones.' 

As  soon  as  I  was  thoroughly  cleansed,  Mother  Noel  conducted 
me  to  a  sleeping-room,  a  small  apartment  which  served  as  the 
workshop  for  false  keys,  the  entrance  to  which  was  concealed  by 
several  gowns  hanging  from  a  row  of  pegs.  '  Here,'  said  she,  *  is 
a  bed  in  which  your  friends  have  slept  three  or  four  times ;  and 
you  need  not  fear  that  the  police  will  hunt  you  out ;  you  may  sleep 
secure  as  a  dormouse.' 

I 1  am  really  in  want  of  sleep,'  I  replied,  and  begged  her  per- 
mission to  take  §orn.e  repose,  on  which  she  left  me  to  myself, 


304  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

Three  hours  afterwards  I  awoke,  and  on  getting  up  we  renewed 
our  conference.  It  was  necessary  to  be  armed  at  all  points  to 
deceive  Madame  Noel ;  there  was  not  a  trick  or  custom  of  the 
Bagnes  with  which  she  was  not  thoroughly  informed ;  she  knew 
not  only  the  names  of  all  the  robbers  whom  she  had  seen,  but  was 
acquainted  with  every  particular  of  the  life  of  a  great  many  others ; 
and  related  with  enthusiasm  anecdotes  of  the  most  noted,  particu- 
larly of  her  son,  for  whom  she  had  as  much  veneration  as  love. 

1  The  dear  boy,  you  would  be  delighted  to  see  him  !'  said  I. 

*  Yes,  yes,  overjoyed.' 

1  Well,  it  is  a  happiness  you  will  soon  enjoy ;  for  Noel  has  made 
arrangements  for  an  escape,  and  is  now  only  awaiting  the  propi- 
tious moment.' 

Madame  Noel  was  happy  in  the  expectation  of  seeing  her  son, 
and  shed  tears  of  tenderness  at  the  very  thoughts  of  it. 

In  the  course  of  conversation,  Mother  Noel  asked  me  if  I  had 
any  affair  (plan  of  robbery)  in  contemplation ;  and  after  having 
offered  to  procure  me  one,  in  case  I  was  not  provided,  she  ques- 
tioned me  on  my  skill  in  fabricating  keys.  I  told  her  I  was  as 
adroit  as  Fossard.  '  If  that  be  the  case,'  she  rejoined,  '  I  am  easy, 
and  you  shall  be  soon  furnished ;  for,  as  you  are  so  clever,  I  will 
go  and  buy  at  the  ironmonger's  a  key  which  you  can  fit  to  my 
safety  lock,  so  that  you  will  have  ingress  and  egress  whenever  you 
require  it.' 

I  expressed  my  feelings  of  obligation  for  so  great  a  proof  of  her 
kindness ;  and,  as  it  was  growing  late,  I  went  to  bed  reflecting  on 
the  mode  of  getting  away  from  this  lair  without  running  the  risk  of 
being  assassinated,  if  perchance  any  of  the  villains  whom  I  was 
seeking  should  arrive  before  I  had  taken  the  necessary  pre- 
cautions. 

I  did  not  sleep,  and  arose  as  soon  as  I  heard  Madame  Noel 
lighting  her  fire ;  she  said  I  was  an  early  riser,  and  that  she  would 
go  and  procure  me  what  I  wanted.  A  moment  afterwards  she 
brought  me  a  key  not  cut  into  wards,  and  gave  me  files  and  a 
small  vice,  which  I  fixed  on  my  bed ;  and  as  soon  as  my  tools 
were  in  readiness,  I  began  my  work  in  presence  of  my  hostess, 
who,  seeing  that  I  was  perfectly  conversant  with  the  business, 
complimented  me  on  my  skill ;  and  what  she  most  admired  was 
the  expedition  of  my  work  ;  for,  in  (act,  in  less  than  four  hours  I 
had  perfected  a  most  workmanlike  key.  which  I  tried,  and  it  fitted 
most  accurately.  A  few  touches  of  the  file  completed  the  instru- 
ment; and,  like  the  rest,  I  had  the  means  of  unobstructed  entrance 
whenever  I  wished  to  visit  the  house. 

I  was  Madame  Noel's  boarder ;  and,  after  dinner,  \  told  her  I 


MADAME  NOEL.  305 

was  inclined  to  take  a  turn  in  the  dusk,  that  I  might  find  whether 
'a  job'  \  contemplated  was  yet  feasible,  and  she  approved  the 
suggestion,  at  the  same  time  recommending  me  to  use  all  caution. 
'  That  thief  of  a  Vidocq,'  she  observed,  *  is  a  thorn  in  one's  path  ; 
mind  him ; — and,  if  I  were  you,  before  I  made  any  attempts,  I 
would  wait  until  my  feet  were  well.'  '  I  shall  not  go  far,'  I  re- 
plied ;  *  nor  stay  away  long.'  This  assurance  of  a  speedy  return 
seemed  to  quiet  her  fears.  '  Well,  then,  go,'  she  said ;  and  I  went 
out  limping. 

So  far  all  succeeded  to  my  most  sanguine  wishes ;  it  was  impos- 
sible to  stand  better  with  Mother  Noel ;  but,  by  remaining  in  her 
house,  who  would  guarantee  that  I  should  not  be  knocked  on  the 
head  ?  Might  not  two  or  three  galley-slaves  arrive  together, 
recognise  me  and  attack  me  ?  Then  farewell  to  all  my  plottings  ; 
and  it  was  incumbent  that,  without  losing  the  fruit  of  my  friendship 
with  Mother  Noel,  I  should  prepare  myself  for  the  contingent 
danger.  It  would  have  been  the  height  of  imprudence  to  have 
given  her  cause  to  think  that  I  had  any  motives  for  avoiding  con- 
tact with  her  guests,  and  I  consequently  endeavoured  so  to  lead 
her  on,  that  she  should  herself  suggest  to  me  the  necessity  of 
quitting  her  house  ;  that  is,  that  she  should  advise  me  no  longer 
to  think  of  sleeping  in  her  domicile. 

I  had  observed  that  Madame  Noel  was  very  intimate  with  a 
fruitseller  who  lived  in  the  house  ;  and  I  sent  to  this  woman  one 
of  my  agents  named  Manceau,  whom  I  charged  to  ask  her  secretly, 
and  yet  with  a  want  of  skill,  for  some  accounts  of  Madame  Noel. 
I  had  dictated  the  questions,  and  w?s  the  more  certain  that  the 
fruit-woman  would  not  fail  to  communicate  the  particulars,  as  I 
had  desired  my  man  to  beg  her  to  observe  secrecy. 

The  event  proved  that  I  was  not  deceived  ;— no  sooner  had  my 
agent  fulfilled  his  mission,  than  the  fruit-woman  hastened  to 
Madame  Noel  with  an  account  of  what  had  passed ;  who,  in  her 
turn,  lost  no  time  in  telling  me.  On  the  look-out  at  the  steps  of 
the  door  of  her  officious  neighbour,  as  soon  as  she  saw  me,  she 
came  to  me,  and,  without  farther  preface,  desired  me  to  follow 
her,  which  I  did  ;  and,  on  reaching  the  Place  des  Victoires,  she 
stopped,  and  looking  about  her  to  be  assured  that  no  one  was  in 
hearing,  she  told  me  what  had  passed  : — *  So,'  said  she,  in  conclu- 
sion, c  you  see,  my  poor  Germain,  that  it  would  not  be  prudent  for 
you  to  sleep  at  my  house ;  you  must  even  be  cautious  how  you 
approach  it  by  day.'  Mother  Noel  had  no  idea  that  this  circum- 
stance, which  she  bewailed  so  greatly,  was  of  my  own  planning ; 
and,  that  I  might  remove  all  suspicion  from  her  mind,  I  pretended 
to  be  more  vexed  at  it  than  she  was,  and  cursed  and  swore  bitterly 

30 


306  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

at  that  blackguard  Vidocq,  who  would  not  leave  us  at  peace.  I 
deprecated  the  necessity  to  which  I  was  reduced,  of  finding  a 
shelter  out  of  Paris,  and  took  leave  of  Madame  Noel,  who,  wishing 
me  good  luck  and  a  speedy  return,  put  a  thirty-sous-piece  into  my 
hand. 

I  knew  that  Desbois  and  Mongenet  were  expected ;  and  I  was 
also  aware  that  there  were  comers  and  goers  who  visited  the  house, 
whether  Madame  Noel  was  there  or  not ;  and  she  was  often  ab- 
sent, giving  music  lessons  in  the  city.  It  was  important  that  I 
should  know  these  gentry ;  and,  to  achieve  this,  I  disguised 
several  of  my  auxiliaries,  and  stationed  them  at  the  corners  of  the 
street,  where,  mixing  with  the  errand  boys  and  messengers,  their 
presence  excited  no  suspicion. 

These  precautions  taken,  that  I  might  testify  all  due  appearance 
of  fear,  I  allowed  two  days  to  pass  before  I  again  visited  Madame 
Noel ;  and  this  period  having  elapsed,  I  went  one  evening  to  her 
house,  accompanied  by  a  young  man,  whom  I  introduced  as  the 
brother  of  a  female  with  whom  I  had  once  lived  :  and  who,  having 
met  me  accidentally  in  Paris,  had  given  me  an  asylum.  This 
young  man  was  a  secret  agent,  but  I  took  care  to  tell  Mother 
Noel  that  he  had  my  fullest  confidence,  and  that  she  might  con- 
sider him  as  my  second  self;  and  as  he  was  not  known  to  the 
spies,  I  had  chosen  him  to  be  the  messenger  to  her  whenever  I 
did  not  judge  it  prudent  to  show  myself.  *  Henceforward,'  I 
added,  *  he  will  be  our  go-between,  and  will  come  every  two  or 
three  days,  that  I  may  have  information  of  you  and  your  friends.' 

'  I'faith,'  said  Mother  Noel,  '  you  have  lost  a  pleasure ;  for, 
twenty  minutes  sooner,  and  you  would  have  seen  a  lady  of  your 
acquaintance  here.' 

'  Ah  !  who  was  it  ?' 

*  Mongenet's  sister.' 

*  Oh  !  indeed  ;  she  has  often  seen  me  with  her  brother.' 

'  Yes ;  when  I  mentioned  you,  she  described  you  as  exactly  as 
possible  ; — "a  lanky  chap,"  said  she,  "with  his  nose  always  grimed 
with  snuff."' 

Madame  Noel  deeply  regretted  that  I  had  not  arrived  before 
Mongenet's  sister  had  departed ;  but  certainly  not  so  much  as  I 
rejoiced  at  my  narrow  escape  from  an  interview  which  would  have 
destroyed  all  my  projects ;  for  if  this  woman  knew  Germain,  she 
also  knew  Vidocq  ;  and  it  was  impossible  that  she  could  have  mis- 
taken one  for  the  other,  so  great  was  the  difference  between  us  ! 
Although  I  had  altered  my  features  so  as  to  deceive,  yet  the 
resemblance  which,  in  description,  seemed  exact,  would  not  stand 
the  test  of  a  critical  examination,  and  particularly  the  reminiscences 


MADAME  NOEL.  307 

of  intimacy.  Mother  Noel  then  gave  me  a  very  useful  warning, 
when  she  informed  me  that  Mongenet's  sister  was  a  very  frequent 
visitor  at  her  house.  From  thenceforward  I  resolved  that  this 
female  should  never  catch  a  glimpse  of  my  countenance ;  and  to 
avoid  meeting  with  her,  whenever  I  visited  Madame  Noel,  I  sent 
my  pretended  brother-in-law  first,  who,  when  she  was  not  there, 
had  instructions  to  let  me  know  it,  by  sticking  a  wafer  on  the 
window.  At  this  signal  I  entered,  and  my  aide-de-camp  betook 
himself  to  his  post  in  the  neighbourhood,  to  guard  against  any 
disagreeable  surprise.  Not  very  far  distant  were  other  auxiliaries, 
to  whom  I  had  confided  Mother  Noel's  key,  that  they  might  come 
to  my  succour  in  case  of  danger ;  for,  from  one  instant  to  another, 
I  might  fall  suddenly  amongst  a  gang  of  fugitives,  or  some  of  the 
galley-slaves  might  recognise  and  attack  me,  and  then  a  blow  of  my 
fist  against  a  square  of  glass  in  the  window  was  the  signal  which 
was  to  denote  my  need  of  assistance,  to  equalize  the  contending 
parties. 

Thus  were  my  schemes  concerted,  and  the  finale  was  at  hand.  It 
was  on  Tuesday,  and  a  letter  from  the  men  I  was  in  quest  of  an- 
nounced their  intended  arrival  on  the  Friday  following  ;  a  day  which 
I  intended  should  be  for  them  a  black  Friday.  At  the  first  dawn  I 
betook  myself  to  a  wine-vault  in  the  vicinity,  and,  that  they  might 
have  no  motive  for  watching  me,  supposing,  as  was  their  custom, 
that  they  should  traverse  the  street  several  times  up  and  down 
before  they  entered  Madame  Noel's  domicile,  I  first  sent  my  pre- 
tended brother-in-law,  who  returned  soon  afterwards,  and  told  me 
that  Mongenet's  sister  was  not  there,  and  that  I  might  safely  enter. 
1  You  are  not  deceiving  me  ?'  said  I  to  my  agent,  whose  tone 
appeared  altered  and  embarrassed,  and  fixing  on  him  one  of  those 
looks  which  penetrated  the  very  heart's  core,  I  thought  I  observed 
one  of  those  ill-suppressed  contractions  of  the  muscles  of  the  face 
which  accompany  a  premeditated  lie  ;  and  then,  quick  as  lightning, 
the  thought  came  over  me  that  I  was  betrayed — that  my  agent  was 
a  traitor.  We  were  in  a  private  room,  and,  without  a  moment's 
hesitation,  I  grasped  his  throat  with  violence,  and  told  him,  in 
presence  of  his  comrades,  that  I  was  informed  of  his  perfidy,  and 
that  if  he  did  not  instantly  confess  all,  I  would  shoot  him  on  the 
spot.  Dismayed  at  my  penetration  and  determined  manner,  he 
stammered  out  a  few  words  of  excuse,  and,  falling  on  his  knees, 
confessed  that  he  had  discovered  all  to  Mother  Noel. 

This  baseness,  had  I  not  thus  detected  it,  would  probably  have 
cost  me  my  life,  but  I  did  not  think  of  any  personal  resentment ; 
it  was  only  the  interest  of  society  which  I  cared  for,  and  which  I 
regretted  to  see  wrecked  when  so  near  port.  The  traitor, 

30— 9 


3o8  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

Manceau,  was  put  in  confinement,  and,  young  as  be  was,  having 
many  old  offences  to  expiate,  was  sent  to  Bicetre,  and  then  to  the 
isle  of  Oleron,  where  he  terminated  his  career.  It  may  be  con- 
jectured that  the  fugitives  did  not  return  to  the  Rue  Ticquetonne  ; 
but  they  were,  notwithstanding,  apprehended  a  short  time  after- 
wards. 

Mother  Noel  did  not  forgive  the  trick  I  had  played  her ;  and, 
to  satisfy  her  revenge,  she  one  day  had  all  her  goods  taken  away, 
and  when  this  had  been  effected,  went  out  without  closing  her 
door,  and  returned,  crying  out  that  she  had  been  robbed.  The 
neighbours  were  made  witnesses,  a  declaration  was  made  before  a 
commissary,  and  Mother  Noel  pointed  me  out  as  the  thief, 
because,  she  said,  1  had  a  key  of  her  apartments.  The  accusation 
was  a  grave  one,  and  she  was  instantly  sent  to  the  prefecture  of 
police,  and  the  next  day  I  received  the  information.  My  justifi- 
cation was  not  difficult,  for  the  Prefet,  as  well  as  M.  Henry,  saw 
through  the  imposture ;  and  we  managed  so  well,  that  Mother 
Noel's  property  was  discovered,  proof  was  obtained  of  the  falsity 
of  the  charge,  and,  to  give  her  time  for  repentance,  she  was 
sentenced  for  six  months  to  St.  Lazare.  Such  were  the  issue  and 
the  consequences  of  an  enterprise  in  which  I  had  not  failed  to  use 
all  precaution;  and  I  have  often  achieved  success  in  affairs  in 
which  arrangements  had  been  made,  not  so  skilfully  concerted 
or  so  ably  executed 


CHAPTER    XXIX. 

Vain  pursuit  of  a  robber  by  the  police— On  the  right  scent — I  become  a  coal 
man — Fright  of  a  vintner  and  his  wife — Mademoiselle  Tonneau — A  search 
— The  thief  takes  me  for  his  mate — The  jump  from  the  window. 

AFTER  having  undergone  several  sentences,  two  fugitives  of  the 
isles,  named  Gureau  and  Florentin,  called  Chatelain  (governor), 
of  whom  I  have  already  spoken,  were  detained  at  Bicetre  as 
incorrigible  robbers.  Weary  of  confinement  in  these  cells,  where 
they  were  buried  alive,  they  sent  to  M.  Henry  a  letter,  in  which 
they  offered  to  give  such  information  as  should  lead  to  the 
apprehension  of  several  of  their  comrades,  who  were  daily  perpe- 
trating robberies  in  Paris.  Fossard,  sentenced  for  life,  who  had 
frequently  escaped  from  the  Bagnes,  was  the  one  marked  out  as 
the  most  dangerous.  *  He  was,'  they  wrote,  *  unequalled  for 
intrepidity,  and  must  be  attacked  with  caution  ;  for,  always  armed 
to  the  teeth,  he  had  resolved  on  blowing  out  the  brains  of  that 
police-agent  who  should  be  hardy  enough  to  attempt  to  apprehend 
him.' 


M.  YVRIER.  309 

The  heads  of  the  police  asked  nothing  better  than  to  free  the 
capital  from  such  a  daring  thief,  and  their  first  idea  was  to  employ 
me  in  discovering  him  :  but  the  informers  having  suggested  to  M. 
Henry  that  I  was  too  well  known  to  Fossard  and  his  concubine 
not  to  defeat  an  operation  which  must  be  most  delicately  effected, 
it  was  decided  that  the  affair  should  be  intrusted  to  the  skill  of 
some  police-officers.  To  them,  therefore,  were  given  all  the  neces- 
sary instructions  to  regulate  their  searches  ;  but  either  they  were 
not  lucky,  or  they  did  not  especially  approve  a  rencontre  with 
Fossard,  who  was  *  armed  to  the  teeth,'  for  he  continued  his 
exploits,  and  the  numerous  complaints  to  which  his  activity  gave 
rise  announced  that,  in  spite  of  their  apparent  zeal,  these  gentle- 
men, as  usual,  made  more  noise  than  work. 

The  result  was  that  the  preYet,  who  preferred  doings  to  sayings, 
sent  for  them  one  day,  and  reprimanded  them  in  a  manner  which 
must  have  been  severe,  to  judge  by  the  discontent  which  they 
could  not  help  testifying. 

They  had  just  received  this  official  proof  of  disapprobation, 
when  I  happened  to  meet,  in  the  market  of  Saint-Jean,  M.  Yvrier, 
one  of  the  officers  in  question,  whom  I  saluted,  and  he  thereupon 
accosted  me,  almost  bursting  with  rage,  saying,  '  Ah  !  there  you 
are,  Mr.  Do-so-Much  ;  you  are  the  cause  of  our  having  been 
reprimanded  about  that  Fossard,  the  fugitive  galley-slave,  who 
they  say  is  in  Paris.  If  we  are  to  believe  Monsieur  le  Prefer,, 
there  is  no  one  but  you  who  can  do  anything.  "  If  Vidocq,"  he 
said  to  us,  "  had  been  ordered  to  this  business,  we  should  have 
had  this  fellow  apprehended  long  ago."  Well  then,  let  us  see,  M. 
Vidocq;  set  your  wits  to  work  to  find  him,  you  who  are  so  very 
clever,  and  prove  that  you  have  all  the  talent  that  they  say  you 
have.' 

M.  Yvrier  was  an  old  man,  and  it  was  respect  for  his  age  which 
checked  my  reply  to  his  impertinence ;  and  although  I  was 
wounded  by  the  tone  of  his  address,  I  did  not  care  to  show  it, 
contenting  myself  with  replying  that  I  had  not  then  the  leisure  to 
occupy  myself  about  Fossard,  that  he  was  a  capture  I  should 
reserve  till  the  first  of  January,  that  I  might  have  a  suitable  new- 
year's  gift  for  M.  le  PreTet,  as  the  previous  year  I  had  brought  the 
famous  Delzeve. 

*  Go  on  your  own  way,'  replied  M.  Yvrier,  irritated  at  this  boast ; 
*  the  event  will  show  what  you  are :  a  presumptuous  fellow,  who 
creates  difficulties  to  show  his  skill  in  surmounting  them;'  and  he 
left  me,  grumbling  out  from  between  his  teeth  some  other  epithets 
and  qualities  which  I  neither  understood  nor  heeded. 

After  this  scene  I  went  to  M.  Henry's  private  room,  to  whom  I 


3t6  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

related  it  'Ah  !  they  wince — they  are  angry,  are  they  ?'  said  he, 
laughing  ;  *  so  much  the  better  ;  it  proves  that  they  defer  to  your 
ability.  I  see,'  added  M.  Henry,  '  that  these  gentlemen  are  like 
the  eunuchs  of  a  seraglio  :  they  cannot  do  themselves,  and  would 
not  allow  others  to  be  doing.'  He  then  gave  me  the  following 
particulars  : — 

'  Fossard  lives  in  Paris,  in  a  street  leading  from  a  market-place 
to  a  boulevard ;  on  what  story  his  apartments  are  is  unknown,  but 
the  windows  may  be  recognised  by  having  yellow  silk  curtains  and 
other  curtains  of  embroidered  muslin.  In  the  same  house  resides 
a  little  hump-backed  woman,  a  seamstress,  and  intimate  with  the 
female  who  lives  with  Fossard.' 

These  particulars  were,  it  may  be  seen,  not  sufficiently  definite 
to  lead  at  once  to  the  spot  we  wished  to  discover. 

I  was  in  doubt  as  to  what  steps  I  should  first  take ;  but  as  I  had 
generally  found  that,  in  all  my  undertakings,  it  was  from  females 
that  I  gleaned  my  information,  whether  women  or  girls,  I  soon 
determined  on  the  disguise  which  was  best  adapted  for  my  purpose. 
It  was  apparent  that  I  must  assume  the  guise  of  a  very  respectable 
gentleman,  and  consequently,  by  means  of  some  false  wrinkles,  a 
pig-tail,  snowy-white  ruffles,  a  large  gold-headed  cane,  a  three- 
cornered  hat,  buckles,  breeches  and  coat  to  match,  I  was 
metamorphosed  into  one  of  those  good  sexagenarian  citizens, 
whom  all  old  ladies  admire.  I  had  the  precise  appearance  and 
air  of  one  of  those  rich  old  boys  of  the  Marais,  whose  rubicund 
and  jolly  countenance  proves  the  ease  of  his  circumstances,  and 
the  desire  to  bestow  charity  on  those  who  need  it,  by  way  of  a 
recompense  to  fortune.  I  was  very  sure  that  the  hump-backed 
women  would  set  their  caps  at  me  ;  and  I  had  the  appearance  of 
so  good  a  man,  that  it  was  impossible  they  would  make  any 
attempts  at  deceiving  me. 

Thus  disguised,  I  went  into  the  streets,  gazing  upwards  to  dis- 
cover all  the  curtains  of  the  prescribed  colour.  I  was  so  much 
occupied  with  this  investigation  that  I  was  entirely  lost  to  all 
around  me.  Had  I  been  a  little  less  substantial-looking  I  might 
have  been  taken  for  a  metaphysician,  or  perhaps  for  a  poet  who 
was  seeking  a  couplet  in  the  region  of  the  chimney-pots ;  twenty 
times  I  narrowly  escaped  the  cabriolets ;  on  all  sides  the  cry  of 
'Gare!  Gare !'  (mind,  mind)  assailed  me,  and  then,  on  turning 
round,  I  was  under  the  wheel,  or  else  close  beside  a  horse ;  some- 
times, whilst  I  was  wiping  the  dirt  from  my  sleeve,  a  lash  of  a 
whip  came  across  my  face,  or,  if  the  driver  were  less  brutal,  it  was 
some  such  salutation  as  this  : — '  Out  of  the  way,  old  dunny-head,' 
or  else,  *  Come,  what  are  you  at,  old  stupid  ?' 


THE  SEARCH.  311 

My  work  was  not  to  be  completed  in  a  single  day,  even  as  far 
as  the  yellow  curtains  went.  I  marked  down  more  than  one 
hundred  and  fifty  in  my  memorandum  book,  which  gave  choice 
enough,  in  all  conscience.  Might  not  the  curtains  behind  which 
Fossard  was  concealed  have  been  taken  down  and  replaced  by 
white,  red,  or  green  ones  ?  However,  if  chance  was  against  me, 
she  might  yet  throw  out  some  favourable  hint  for  my  guidance ; 
and  I  took  courage,  although  it  is  a  somewhat  painful  task  for  a 
sexagenarian  to  ascend  and  descend  a  hundred  and  fifty  staircases, 
consisting  of  at  least  seven  hundred  and  fifty  stories — to  take  more 
than  thirty  thousand  steps,  or  twice  the  height  of  Chimborazo  ; 
but  as  I  found  my  breath  good,  and  my  legs  strong,  I  undertook 
the  task,  sustained  by  the  same  hope  as  that  which  impelled  the 
Argonauts  to  sail  in  quest  of  the  golden  fleece.  It  was  my  hump- 
backed lady  that  I  sought ;  and  in  my  ascents,  in  how  many  land- 
ing-places have  I  not  stood  sentinel  for  hours  together,  in  the  per- 
suasion that  my  lucky  star  would  shine  upon  her?  The  heroic 
Don  Quixote  was  not  more  ardent  in  the  pursuit  of  his  Dulcinea. 
I  knocked  at  the  doors  of  all  the  seamstresses ;  I  examined  them 
one  after  another,  but  no  humps ;  they  were  all  perfectly  formed ; 
or  if  by  chance  they  had  a  projection,  it  was  not  a  deviation  of  the 
spine,  but  one  of  those  temporary  exuberances  which  resolve 
themselves  into  maternity. 

Thus  passed  several  days  without  presenting  to  my  longing  eyes 
the  object  of  my  search,  and  I  was  heartily  tired  of  my  job,  for 
every  night  my  back  ached  past  bearing,  and  yet  the  work  was  to 
be  recommenced  the  next  morning.  I  dared  ask  no  questions ; 
for  although  then  some  charitable  soul  might  have  put  me  on  the 
right  scent,  yet  I  might  get  into  danger ;  and  at  last,  fatigued  with 
this  unsatisfactory  mode  of  search,  I  determined  to  adopt  another. 

I  have  remarked  that  hump-backed  women  are  generally  very 
inquisitive  and  great  chatterers ;  they  are  generally  the  news-distri- 
butors of  the  district,  and  if  not,  they  are  then  the  registers  of  petty 
slanders,  and  nothing  passes  with  which  they  are  not  acquainted. 
Impressed  with  this  idea,  I  concluded  that,  under  pretext  of  getting 
her  little  requisites  supplied,  the  unknown  humpy  lady,  who  had 
already  cost  me  so  much  trouble,  would  not  fail,  any  more  than 
many  others,  to  come  and  have  her  wonted  gossip  at  the  milk- 
man's,  the  baker's,  the  fruiterer's,  the  mercer's,  or  the  grocer's.  I 
resolved,  therefore,  to  station  myself  at  the  doors  of  several  of 
these  chattering  shops,  and  as  every  humpy  woman,  anxious  for  a 
husband,  makes  a  great  parade  of  her  abilities  as  a  clever  caterer, 
I  was  persuaded  that  mine  would  be  on  foot  early  in  the  morning, 
and  that  I  ought,  to  see  her,  to  station  myself  at  an  early  hour  at 
my  post  of  observation,  and  accordingly  I  went  there  at  daybreak. 


312  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

I  first  employed  myself  in  considering  how  best  to  take  my 
measures.  To  what  milkwoman  would  a  hump-backed  lady  give 
the  preference  ?  Certainly  to  her  who  had  most  gossip,  and  sold 
cheapest.  There  was  one  at  the  corner  of  the  Rue  Thevenot,  who 
seemed  to  me  to  combine  these  two  qualities ;  she  had  about  her 
a  great  number  of  small  cans,  and  from  the  midst  of  her  circle  did 
not  cease  to  talk  and  serve,  serve  and  talk.  Her  customers  babbled 
away  to  their  hearts'  content,  and  she  chattered  as  indefatigably  as 
her  customers  ;  but  this  was  not  of  any  consequence  to  me  ;  I  had 
pitched  upon  an  admirable  and  likely  spot,  and  was  determined  not 
to  lose  sight  of  it. 

On  going  to  my  second  watch  in  the  evening,  I  impatiently 
awaited  the  arrival  of  my  female  ^Esop,  but  there  were  only  young 
girls,  well-made,  slender,  with  good  figures,  easy  appearance,  neatly 
attired,  and  not  one  of  them  that  was  not  as  straight  and  upright 
as  the  letter  I.  I  was  beginning  to  despair,  when  at  length  my 
star  beamed  in  the  horizon  ;  I  saw  the  Venus,  the  prototype  of  all 
humped  women  !  Ye  gods  !  how  handsome  she  appeared  ;  and 
how  splendid  was  the  contour  of  that  prominent  feature  for  which 
I  had  so  anxiously  watched, — her  adorable  hump  !  I  gave  myself 
time  to  contemplate  this  protuberance,  which  naturalists  should,  I 
think,  take  into  consideration,  and  enumerate  an  additional  race 
in  the  human  species.  I  thought  I  was  gazing  on  one  of  those 
fairies  of  the  middle  age,  in  whom  a  deformity  of  this  kind  was  *  a 
double  charm.'  This  supernatural  being,  or  rather  extra-natural, 
approached  the  milkwoman,  and  having  gossiped  for  some  time, 
as  I  had  anticipated,  she  took  her  cream ;  she  then  entered  the 
grocer's ;  then  paused  a  moment  at  the  tripe-shop,  where  she  pro- 
cured some  lights,  probably  for  her  cat ;  and  then,  her  stores  pro- 
vided, she  turned  off  in  the  Rue  du  Petit  Carreau,  down  the 
gateway,  to  a  house  of  which  the  ground-floor  was  occupied  by  a 
working  turner.  I  cast  my  eyes  instantly  on  the  windows,  but, 
alas  !  no  yellow  curtains  met  my  longing,  lingering  look.  I,  how- 
ever, made  the  reflection  which  had  before  suggested  itself,  that 
curtains,  of  whatever  shade,  have  not  the  immobility  of  an  original 
hump ;  and  I  resolved  not  to  retire  until  I  had  some  converse  with 
the  enchanting  little  hump  of  deformity,  whose  appearance  had  so 
truly  enchanted  me.  I  surmised,  that  in  spite  of  my  disappoint- 
ment with  regard  to  one  of  the  main  circumstances  described  for 
my  guidance,  yet  that  a  conversation  would  elicit  some  useful  in- 
formation to  lighten  my  path. 

I  determined  to  ascend  the  staircase ;  and  on  getting  up  to  the 
first  landing-place,  inquired  for  '  a  little  lady  rather  deformed.' — 
'  Oh,  it  is  the  seamstress  you  want,'  was  the  reply,  attended  by  a 


THE  HUMP-BACK.  313 

significant  grin. — *  Yes,  the  seamstress  I  want ;  a  person  who  has 
one  shoulder  somewhat  higher  than  the  other.'  Again  I  was 
laughed  at,  and  her  apartment  pointed  out  as  on  the  third 
story.  Although  her  neighbours  were  very  complaisant,  I  was 
rather  nettled  at  their  chuckling  and  laughing  ;  it  was  exceedingly 
unpolite ;  but  such  was  my  tolerance,  that  I  freely  pardoned  the 
expression  of  their  mirth  ;  and  was  not  that  commendable  in  me  ? 
It  preserved  the  character  I  had  assumed  The  door  was  shown 
to  me  ;  I  knocked,  and  it  was  opened  by  my  darling  little  Humpa 
herself ;  and  after  fifty  apologies  for  the  visit,  I  begged  her  to  give 
me  a  few  moments'  audience,  adding  that  I  had  personal  business 
to  discuss  with  her. 

'Mademoiselle,'  said  I,  with  a  solemn  tone,  after  she  had  seated 
me  opposite  to  herself,  '  you  are  ignorant  of  the  motive  which  has 
led  me  hither ;  but  when  you  shall  know  it,  perhaps  the  step  I 
have  taken  will  excite  your  interest.' 

The  hump-backed  damsel  thought  that  I  was  going  to  make  an 
open  avowal ;  the  colour  rushed  to  her  cheeks,  and  her  look  became 
animated,  although  she  cast  her  eyes  on  the  ground.  I  continued: 

*  Doubtless,  you  will  be  astonished  that  at  my  age  one  can  be  as 
deeply  enamoured  as  at  twenty  years  old.' 

1  Ah,  sir,  you  are  still  young,'  said  the  amiable  Humpina,  whose 
mistake  I  would  not  allow  to  be  prolonged. 

'  Why,  pretty  well  for  that,'  I  added ;  '  but  it  is  not  of  that  I 
would  speak.  You  know  that  in  Paris  it  is  not  an  uncommon 
thing  for  a  man  and  woman  to  live  together  without  the  benediction 
of  holy  Mother  Church.' 

'  What  do  you  take  me  for,  sir,  to  make  such  a  proposal  to  me  ?' 
cried  the  little  Humpetta,  without  giving  me  time  to  finish  my  sen- 
tence. I  smiled  at  her  mistake,  and  continued  :  '  I  have  no  inten- 
tion to  make  any  such  proposition  ;  I  only  request  that  you  will 
have  the  goodness  to  give  me  some  information  respecting  a  young 
lady,  who  I  am  told  lives  in  this  house  with  a  gentleman  who 
passes  for  her  husband.' — '  I  know  nothing  at  all  about  it,'  answered 
my  little  lady,  very  snappishly. 

I  then  gave  her  a  tolerably  accurate  description  of  Fossard  and 
the  demoiselle  Tonneau,  his  lady. 

'  Ah,  I  now  know,'  said  she ;  *  a  man  of  your  figure  and  size 
about  thirty  or  five-and-thirty  years  of  age,  a  good  looking  gentle- 
man: the  lady,  a  pretty  brunette,  beautiful  eyes,  lovely  teeth, 
charming  mouth,  superb  eyelashes,  dark  brows}  nose  a  little  turned 
up,  with  a  most  engaging  and  modest  demeanour.  They  did  live 
here,  but  they  have  removed.'  I  entreated  her  to  give  me  their 
new  address ;  and  on  her  reply,  that  she  did  not  know  it,  I  weep- 


3U  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

ingly  besought  her  to  aid  in  the  recovery  of  an  ungrateful  creature, 
whom  I  still  fondly,  dotingly  loved,  despite  her  perfidy. 

The  seamstress  was  touched.  The  tears  I  shed  moved  her  tender 
heart ;  and  feeling  that  I  had  gained  ground,  I  became  more  and 
more  pathetic.  « Ah !  her  infidelity  will  cause  my  death :  pity, 
commiserate  a  wretched  husband ;  I  conjure  you,  do  not  conceal 
from  me  her  retreat,  and  I  shall  owe  you  more  than  life.' 

Your  hump-backed  women  are  compassionate ;  moreover,  a 
husband  is,  in  their  eyes,  so  inappreciable  a  treasure ;  and  as  they 
are  not  possessed  of  one,  they  cannot  imagine  how  anyone  can  be 
unfaithful;  and  thus  my  seamstress  held  adultery  in  utter  ab- 
horrence. She  sincerely  pitied  me,  and  said  she  would  do  all  in 
her  power  to  serve  me.  '  Unfortunately,'  she  added,  *  their  goods 
having  been  removed  by  porters  not  belonging  to  the  district,  I  am 
completely  ignorant  of  where  they  have  gone,  or  what  has  become 
of  them  ;  but  would  you  like  to  see  the  landlady  ?'  As  I  had  no 
doubt  of  her  sincerity,  I  went  to  see  the  landlady,  but  all  I  learnt 
from  her  was,  that  they  had  paid  for  the  term  agreed  on,  and  had 
not  left  any  tidings  of  their  new  abode. 

Except  having  discovered  Fossard's  old  lodging,  I  was  no  for- 
warder than  at  first ;  but  I  would  not  abandon  the  quest  without 
exhausting  every  chance  and  inquiry  that  would  suggest  itself. 
Usually  the  porters  of  the  various  districts  know  each  other;  and 
I  interrogated  those  of  the  Rue  de  Petit  Carreau,  to  whom  I 
introduced  myself  as  a  wronged  husband  ;  and  one  of  them  pointed 
out  to  me  a  comrade  who  had  aided  in  the  removal  of  my  rival's 
goods  and  chattels. 

I  saw  this  individual,  and  told  him  my  concerted  story ;  but  he 
was  a  cunning  chap,  and  intended  to  trick  me.  I  pretended  not 
to  perceive  it ;  and,  as  a  recompense  for  promising  that  he  would 
conduct  me  the  next  day  to  the  place  where  Fossard  had  pitched 
his  tent,  I  gave  him  two  five-franc  pieces,  which  were  spent  the 
same  day  at  the  Courtille,  in  company  with  the  lady  he  *  pro- 
tected.' 

1ms  interview  was  on  the  27th  of  December,  and  we  were  to 
meet  again  the  next  day  ;  and  to  fulfil  my  assertion  of  the  ist  of 
January,  there  was  not  much  time  to  lose.  I  was  punctual  at  the 
rendezvous,  and  the  porter,  whom  1  had  caused  to  be  watched  by 
some  agents,  was  also  to  the  time  and  place.  Some  more  five-franc 
pieces  changed  masters  from  my  purse  to  his,  and  I  paid  for  his 
breakfast.  We  then  started,  and  we  arrived  at  a  very  pretty  house, 
at  the  corner  of  the  Rue  Duphot  and  that  of  Saint  Honore. 
'  Now,'  said  he,  *  we  must  ask  the  vintner  just  by  if  they  are  still 
here.'  He  wanted  me  to  regale  him  again.  I  did  not  refuse ;  and 


FOSSARD.  315 

we  entered  the  shop,  where  we  emptied  a  bottle  of  good  wine.  I 
then  left  him,  fully  assured  of  the  residence  of  my  pretended  wife 
and  her  seducer.  I  had  no  farther  occasion  for  my  guide,  and 
dismissed  him  with  a  mark  of  my  gratitude  ;  but,  to  be  sure  that  he 
did  not  betray  me,  in  the  hope  of  being  doubly  paid,  I  ordered  the 
agents  to  watch  him  closely,  and  to  prevent  his  returning  to 
the  vintner's.  As  well  as  I  remember,  to  preclude  all  possibility 
of  his  so  doing,  they  put  him  in  the  guard-house  :  in  such  cases  we 
are  not  over-particular ;  and,  to  be  sincere,  it  was  I  who  put  him 
in  the  stone  doublet,  which  was  but  a  just  retaliation.  'My 
friend,'  I  said  to  him,  '  I  have  left  with  the  police  a  note  of  five 
hundred  francs,  destined  to  reward  the  man  who  shall  successfully 
aid  me  in  recovering  my  wife.  It  is  now  yours  ;  and  I  will  give 
you  a  note  which  will  enable  you  to  secure  it ;'  and  I  gave  him  a 
small  note  to  M.  Henry,  who,  on  perusal,  said  to  a  police-officer, 
'  Conduct  this  gentleman  to  the  chest'  The  chest  was  in  this 
instance  the  Sylvestre-Chamber  (a  place  of  confinement),  where 
my  friend  the  porter  had  a  little  leisure  for  salutary  reflection. 

I  was  not  certain  of  Fossard's  residence,  but  yet  relied  on  the 
indications  given  to  me,  and  I  was  provided  with  the  necessary 
power  for  his  apprehension.  Then  the  '  richard  du  Marais  '  (the 
rich  old  man  of  the  Marais)  was  suddenly  metamorphosed  into  a 
coalman ;  and  in  this  costume,  under  which  neither  the  mother 
who  bore  me,  nor  any  of  the  agents  of  the  police,  who  saw  me 
daily,  could  have  recognised  me,  I  employed  myself  in  studying 
the  ground  on  which  I  should  so  shortly  be  compelled  to  man- 
oeuvre. 

The  friends  of  Fossard — that  is,  his  denouncers — had  advised 
that  the  agents  employed  in  his  apprehension  should  be  warned 
that  he  was  always  provided  with  a  dagger  and  pistols,  one  of 
which  latter,  with  double  barrels,  was  concealed  in  a  cambric 
handkerchief  which  he  always  held  in  his  hand.  This  information 
called  for  precaution ;  and  besides,  from  the  known  desperation 
of  Fossard's  character,  it  was  certain  that,  to  avoid  a  confinement 
worse  than  death,  he  would  not  hesitate  about  a  murder.  I  felt 
no  anxiety  to  become  his  victim ;  and  thought  that  it  would 
sensibly  diminish  my  chance  of  peril,  if  I  came  to  a  previous  un- 
derstanding with  the  vintner  whose  tenant  Fossard  was.  The 
vintner  was  a  good  fellow  enough,  but  the  police  is  always  in  such 
ill  odour,  that  it  is  no  easy  matter  to  procure  the  assistance  of 
honest  men.  I  determined  to  bring  him  over  to  my  side,  by 
making  it  much  to  his  interest  to  do  so.  I  had  visited  his  house 
several  times  in  my  double  disguise,  and  had  leisure  to  make  my- 
self acquainted  with  all  the  localities,  as  well  as  with  the  sort  of 


?I6  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

visitors  who  came  there.  I  then  went  in  my  usual  dress,  and 
accosting  the  man,  told  him  I  wished  to  speak  with  him  in  private. 
He  took  me  into  a  small  room,  when  I  thus  addressed  him  : — 

'  I  have  to  inform  you,  from  the  police,  that  a  plan  is  formed 
to  rob  your  house  ;  the  thief  who  has  devised  the  means,  and  who 
probably  intends  perpetrating  the  robbery  himself,  lodges  in  your 
house ;  the  female  who  lives  with  him  comes  sometimes  behind 
your  counter,  sees  your  wife,  and  whilst  conversing  with  her,  has 
contrived  to  get  the  impression  of  the  key  which  opens  the  door 
by  which  the  proposed  entry  is  to  be  made.  All  is  arranged  ;  the 
alarum  is  to  be  cut  with  nippers  whilst  the  door  is  ajar  ;  once  inside, 
they  will  ascend  quickly  to  your  chamber ;  and  if  they  have  any 
suspicion  that  you  are  awake,  as  it  is  a  perfect  ruffian  who  con- 
certs the  project,  there  is  no  need  for  me  to  tell  you  what  will 

ensue '     *  They  will  cut  our  throats,'  said  the  alarmed  vintner, 

and  then  called  his  wife  to  communicate  the  intelligence. — Oh,  my 
love,  what  a  world  we  live  in — trust  nobody  !  That '  Madame 
Hazard,  who  seemed  too  good  to  have  a  sin  to  confess — would 
you  believe  it — actually  contemplates  the  cutting  of  our  throats  ! 
This  very  night  they  will  come  and  settle  the  business.' — '  No,  no, 
be  quiet,'  I  replied,  '  not  this  night ;  the  till  is  not  full  enough, 
they  wait  until  the  fitting  time ;  but  if  you  are  discreet  and  will 
second  me,  we  will  defeat  them.' 

Madame  Hazard  was  Mademoiselle  Tonneau,  who  had  assumed 
the  name  by  which  Fossard  was  known  in  the  house ;  and  I 
desired  the  vintner  and  his  wife,  who  were  gladly  led  by  me,  to 
treat  their  lodgers  as  usual.  It  need  not  be  asked  how  willingly 
they  followed  my  instructions ;  and  it  was  agreed  between  us  that 
to  see  Fossard  go  out,  and  to  be  able  to  decide  on  the  best  time 
to  seize  on  him,  I  should  ensconce  myself  in  a  small  closet  under 
the  stairs. 

At  an  early  hour  on  the  291)1  of  December,  I  betook  myself 
to  my  station  •  it  was  desperately  cold,  the  watch  was  a  protracted 
one,  and  the  more  painful  as  we  had  no  fire ;  motionless,  however, 
and  my  eye  fixed  against  a  small  hole  in  the  shutter,  I  kept  my 
post.  At  last,  about  three  o'clock,  he  went  out;  I  followed 
gladly,  and  recognised  him  ;  for  up  to  that  period  I  had  my 
doubts.  Certain  now  of  his  identity,  I  wished  at  that  moment  to 
put  into  execution  the  order  for  his  apprehension  ;  but  the  officer 
who  was  with  me  said  he  saw  the  terrible  pistol.  That  I  might 
authenticate  the  fact,  I  walked  quickly  and  passed  Fossard ;  and 
then  returning,  saw  clearly  that  the  agent  was  right.  To  attempt 
to  arrest  him  would  have  been  useless,  and  I  resolved  to  defer  it ; 
and  on  recalling  to  mind  that  a  fortnight  before  I  had  flattered  my- 


FOSSARD.  317 

self  with  the  prospect  of  apprehending  Frossard  on  the  ist 
of  January,  I  was  not  displeased  at  the  delay ;  but  till  then  my 
vigilance  was  not  to  be  relaxed  for  a  single  instant. 

On  the  3ist  of  December,  at  eleven  o'clock,  when  all  my  bat- 
teries were  charged  and  my  plans  perfect,  Fossard  returned,  and 
without  distrust  ascended  the  staircase  shaking  with  cold  ;  and 
twenty  minutes  after,  the  disappearance  of  the  light  indicated  that 
he  was  in  bed.  The  moment  had  now  arrived.  The  commissary  and 
gendarmes,  summoned  by  me,  were  waiting  at  the  nearest  guard- 
house until  I  should  call  them,  and  then  enter  quietly ;  we  delibe- 
rated on  the  most  effectual  mode  of  seizing  Frossard  without  run- 
ning the  risk  of  being  killed  or  wounded  ;  for  they  were  persuaded 
that  unless  surprised  this  robber  would  defend  himself  desperately. 

My  first  thought  was  to  do  nothing  till  daybreak,  as  I  had  been 
told  that  Fossard's  companion  went  down  very  early  to  get  the 
milk  ;  we  should  then  seize  her,  and  after  having  taken  the  key 
from  her,  we  should  enter  the  room  of  her  lover ;  but  might  it 
not  happen  that,  contrary  to  his  usual  custom,  he  might  go  out 
first  !  This  reflection  led  me  to  adopt  another  expedient. 

The  vintner's  wife,  in  whose  favour,  as  I  was  told,  M.  Hazard 
was  much  prepossessed,  had  one  of  her  nephews  at  her  house,  a 
lad  about  ten  years  of  age,  intelligent  beyond  his  years,  and  the 
more  desirous  of  getting  money  as  he  was  a  Norman.  I  promised 
him  a  reward  on  condition  that  under  pretence  of  his  aunt's  being 
taken  suddenly  ill,  he  should  go  and  beg  Madame  Hazard  to  give 
him  some  Eau  de  Cologne.  I  desired  the  little  chap  to  assume 
the  most  piteous  tone  he  could ;  and  was  so  well  satisfied  with  a 
specimen  he  gave  me,  that  I  began  to  distribute  the  parts  of  my 
performers.  The  denouement  was  near  at  hand.  I  made  all  my 
party  take  off  their  shoes,  doing  the  same  myself,  that  we  might 
not  be  heard  whilst  going  upstairs.  The  little  snivelling  pilot  was 
in  his  shirt;  he  rang  the  bell — no  one  answered;  again  he  rang  : 
— '  Who's  there  ?'  was  heard. — *  It  is  I,  Madame  Hazard  ;  it  is 
Louis :  my  poor  aunt  is  very  bad,  and  begs  you  will  be  so  very 
obliging  as  to  give  her  a  little  eau  de  Cologne — Oh  !  she  is  dying  ! 
I  have  got  a  light !' 

The  door  was  opened  ;  and  scarcely  had  Mademoiselle  Tonneau 
presented  herself,  when  two  powerful  gendarmes  seized  on  her, 
and  fastened  a  napkin  over  her  mouth  to  prevent  her  crying  out. 
At  the  same  instant,  with  more  rapidity  than  the  lion  when  darting 
on  his  prey,  I  threw  myself  upon  Fossard,  who,  stupefied  by  what 
was  doing,  and  already  fast  bound  and  confined  in  his  bed,  was 
my  prisoner  before  he  could  make  a  single  movement,  or  utter  a 
single  word.  So  great  w^s  his  amazement,  that  it  was  nearly  an 


3i8  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ, 

hour  before  he  could  articulate  even  a  few  words.  When  a  light 
was  brought  and  he  saw  my  black  face,  and  garb  of  a  coalman,  he 
experienced  such  an  increase  of  terror,  that  I  really  believe  he 
imagined  himself  in  the  devil's  clutches.  On  coming  to  himself, 
he  thought  of  his  arms,  his  pistols  and  dagger,  which  were  upon 
the  table ;  and  turning  his  eyes  towards  them,  he  made  a  struggle, 
but  that  was  all ;  for,  reduced  to  the  impossibility  of  doing  any 
mischief,  he  was  passive,  and  contented  himself  with  '  chewing  the 
cud  of  sweet  and  bitter  fancy.' 

On  searching  the  domicile  of  this  formidable  brigand,  a  great 
quantity  of  jewels  were  found ;  diamonds  and  cash  to  the  amount 
of  eight  or  ten  thousand  francs.  Fossard,  having  recovered  his 
spirits,  told  me  that  under  the  marble  of  the  chimney-piece  were 
ten  notes  of  a  thousand  francs  each.  '  Take  them,'  said  he  :  '  we 
will  divide,  or  you  shall  take  as  much  as  you  please.'  I  took  the 
notes,  and  getting  into  a  fiacre,  we  soon  reached  M.  Henry's 
office,  where  we  deposited  the  booty  found  in  Fossard's  apartment. 
On  making  out  the  inventory,  when  we  came  to  the  last  item,  the 
commissary,  who  had  accompanied  me  in  the  enterprise,  said,  'It 
now  only  remains  to  conclude  the  proces-verbal.' — 'Stay  one 
moment,'  I  cried,  '  here  are  ten  thousand  francs  which  the  prisoner 
has  handed  over  to  me.'  I  displayed  this  sum,  to  the  great  regret  of 
Fossard,  who  gave  me  one  of  those  looks  which  would  say,  '  This 
is  a  turn  I  will  never  forgive.' 

Fossard  entered  early  on  a  career  of  crime.  Born  of  reputable 
parents,  he  had  received  a  good  education  ;  his  friends  had  done 
all  in  their  power  to  divert  him  from  his  vicious  courses,  but,  in 
spite  of  good  advice,  he  had  thrown  himself  headlong  into  the 
vortex  of  bad  company.  He  began  by  stealing  trifling  articles ; 
but  soon  after,  having  acquired  a  decided  taste  for  such  pursuits, 
and  blushing,  no  doubt,  at  being  confounded  with  ordinary 
robbers,  '  petty  larceny  knaves,'  he  adopted  what  the  gentlemen 
style  '  a  distinguished  line.'  The  famous  Victor  Desbois  and  Noel 
with  the  Spectacles,  who  now  honour  the  Bagne  at  Brest  with 
their  distinguished  presence,  were  his  associates  ;  and  they  com- 
mitted together  those  robberies  which  led  to  their  imprisonment 
for  life.  Noel,  whose  talents  as  a  musician,  and  in  his  quality  of 
teacher  of  the  pianoforte,  got  access  to  all  the  rich  houses,  took 
impressions  of  the  keys,  which  Fossard  then  fabricated.  It  was  an 
art  in  which  he  defied  Georget  and  all  the  locksmiths  in  the  world 
to  surpass  him  :  however  complicated  the  lock,  however  ingenious 
and  difficult  the  secret,  nothing  resisted  the  efforts  of  his  skill. 

It  may  be  easily  conceived  what  advantage  he  made  of  such 
a  pernicious  talent ;  being,  moreover,  a  man  who  could  insinuate 


FOSSARD.  319 

himself  into  the  company  of  honest  persons  and  then  dupe  them. 
Besides,  he  was  a  close  and  frigid  character,  to  which  he  added 
courage  and  perseverance.  His  comrades  regarded  him  as  the 
prince  of  thieves  ;  and  in  fact,  amongst  the  '  tip-top  cracksmen/ 
that  is,  in  the  aristocracy  of  robbers,  I  never  knew  but  Cognard, 
Pontis,  Comte  de  St.  Helene,  and  Jossas,  who  were  at  all  com- 
parable with  him. 

After  I  had  reinstated  him  at  the  Bagne,  Fossard  often  attempted 
to  escape.  Some  liberated  prisoners  who  have  lately  seen  him, 
have  assured  me  that  he  only  longs  for  liberty,  that  he  may  avenge 
himself  on  me.  They  say  he  has  threatened  to  kill  me.  If 
the  accomplishment  of  this  kind  intention  depended  solely  on  him, 
I  am  sure  he  would  keep  his  word,  if  it  were  only  to  give  a  proof 
of  his  intrepidity.  Two  circumstances  that  have  been  told  me,  will 
give  some  idea  of  the  man. 

One  day  Fossard  was  about  to  commit  a  robbery  in  an  apart- 
ment on  the  second  story  ;  his  comrades,  who  were  watching  with 
out,  were  stupid  enough  to  allow  the  proprietor  to  ascend  the  stair- 
case ;  and  he,  on  putting  the  key  into  the  door,  opened  it,  went 
through  several  rooms,  and  on  getting  to  an  inner  closet,  saw  the 
thief  at  work  ;  but  Fossard,  putting  himself  on  the  defensive, 
escaped.  A  window  was  open  near  him,  and,  darting  out  of  it, 
he  fell  into  the  street  without  injury,  and  disappeared  as  swift  as 
lightning. 

Another  time,  whilst  he  was  escaping,  he  was  surprised  on  the 
tiles  of  Bicetre,  and  fired  at  Fossard,  never  disconcerted,  con- 
tinued to  walk  along  without  stopping  or  hastening  his  steps,  and 
getting  to  that  side  which  looks  into  the  fields,  he  slid  down. 
The  fall  was  enough  to  have  broken  a  hundred  necks,  but  he 
received  no  hurt ;  only  the  slide  was  so  rapid  that  his  clothes  were 
rent  in  shreds. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

Guillotin — Double-Croche  and  the  chicken-coop — The  Orientalists  and  the 
Argonauts — The  mutton  of  the  salt  marshes— The  cat's  tail — Rihoulet  and 
Manon  la  Blonde— The  little  black  father— The  Children  of  the  Sun. 

I  DO  not  think  that  amongst  the  readers  of  these  Memoirs  one 
will  be  found  who,  even  by  chance,  has  set  foot  at  Guillotin's,  an 
unsophisticated  adulterer  of  wines,  whose  establishment,  well 
known  to  the  most  degraded  class  ot  robbers,  is  situate  opposite 
to  the  Cloaque  Desnoyers,  which  the  raff  of  the  Barriere  call  the 
drawing-room  of  la  Courtille.  A  workman  may  be  honest  to  a 
certain  extent  and  venture  in,  en  fassant^  to  Papa  Desnoyer's.  If 


320  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

he  be  awake,  and  keep  his  eye  on  the  company,  although  a  row 
should  commence,  he  may,  by  the  aid  of  the  gendarmes,  escape 
with  only  a  few  blows,  and  pay  no  one's  scot  but  his  own.  At 
Guillotin's  he  will  not  come  off  so  well,  particularly  if  his  toggery 
be  over  spruce,  and  his  pouch  has  chink  in  it. 

Picture  to  yourself,  reader,  a  square  room  of  considerable  mag- 
nitude, the  walls  of  which,  once  white,  have  been  blackened  by 
every  species  of  exhalation.  Such  is,  in  all  its  simple  modesty,  the 
aspect  of  a  temple  consecrated  to  the  worship  of  Bacchus  and 
Terpsichore.  At  first,  by  a  very  natural  optical  illusion,  we  are 
struck  by  the  confined  space  before  us,  but  the  eye,  after  a  time, 
piercing  through  the  thick  atmosphere  of  a  thousand  vapours  which 
are  most  inodorous,  the  extent  becomes  visible  by  details  which 
escape  in  the  first  chaotic  glimpse.  It  is  the  moment  of  creation, 
all  is  bright,  the  fog  disappears,  becomes  peopled,  is  animated, 
forms  appear,  they  move,  they  are  agitated,  they  are  no  illusory 
shadows,  but,  on  the  contrary,  essentially  material,  which  cross  and 
recross  at  every  moment.  What  beatitudes  !  what  a  joyous  life  ! 
Never,  even  for  the  Epicureans,  were  so  many  felicities  assembled 
together.  Those  who  like  to  wallow  in  filth,  can  find  it  here  to 
their  hearts'  content :  many  seated  at  tables,  on  which,  without 
ever  being  wiped  away,  are  renewed  a  hundred  times  a  day  the 
most  disgusting  libations,  close  in  a  square  space  reserved  for 
what  they  call  the  dancers.  At  the  farther  end  of  this  infected 
cave  there  is,  supported  by  four  worm-eaten  pillars,  a  sort  of  alcove, 
constructed  from  broken-up  ship-timber,  which  is  graced  by  the 
appearance  of  two  or  three  rags  of  old  tapestry.  It  is  on  this 
chicken  coop  that  the  music  is  perched  :  two  clarionets,  a  hurdy- 
gurdy,  a  cracked  trumpet,  and  a  grumbling  bassoon — five  instru- 
ments whose  harmonious  movements  are  regulated  by  the  crutch 
of  Monsieur  Double-Croche,  a  lame  dwarf,  who  is  called  the  leader 
of  the  orchestra.  Here  all  is  in  harmony — the  faces,  costume,  the 
food  that  is  prepared;  a  genteel  appearance  is  scouted.  There  is  no 
closet  in  which  walking-sticks,  umbrellas,  and  cloaks  are  deposited; 
the  women  have  their  hair  all  in  confusion  like  a  poodle  dog,  and 
the  kerchief  perched  on  the  top  of  the  head,  or  in  a  knot  tied  in 
front,  with  the  corners  in  a  rosette,  or,  if  you  prefer  it,  a  cockade, 
which  threatens  the  eye  in  the  same  manner  as  those  of  the  country 
mules.  As  for  the  men,  it  is  a  waistcoat  with  a  cap  and  falling 
collar,  if  they  have  a  shirt,  which  is  the  regulated  costume ; 
breeches  are  not  insisted  on  ;  the  supreme  bon  ton  would  be  an 
artilleryman's  cap,  the  frock  of  a  hussar,  the  panaloons  of  a  lancer, 
the  boots  of  a  guardsman  -  in  fact,  the  cast-off  attire  of  three  or  four 
regiments,  or  the  wardrobe  of  a  field  of  battle ;  and  there  is  no 


GUILLOTINE.  321 

out  and  outer  thus  attired  but  is  the  fancy  man  of  these  ladies,  who 
adore  the  cavalry,  and  have  a  decided  taste  for  the  dress  of  the 
whole  army ;  but  nothing  so  much  pleases  them  as  mustachios, 
and  a  broad  red  cap  adorned  with  leather  of  the  same  colour. 

In  this  assembly,  a  beaver  hat,  unless  napless  and  brimless, 
would  be  very  rare  ;  no  one  ever  remembers  to  have  seen  a  coat 
there,  and  should  anyone  dare  to  present  himself  with  a  great 
coat,  unless  a.  family  man,  he  would  be  sure  to  depart  skirtless,  or 
only  in  his  waistcoat.  In  vain  would  he  ask  pardon  for  those 
flaps  which  had  offended  the  eyes  of  the  noble  assembly ;  too 
happy  would  he  be  if,  after  having  been  bandied  and  knocked 
about  with  the  utmost  unanimity  as  a  greenhorn,  only  one  skirt 
should  be  left  in  the  hands  of  these  youthful  beauties. 

Desnoyers'  is  the  resort  of  the  lower  orders  ;  but  before  stepping 
over  the  threshold  of  the  cabaret  of  Guillotin,  even  the  canaille 
themselves  look  twice ;  as  in  this  repository  are  only  to  be  seen 
.prostitutes  with  their  bullies,  pick-pockets,  and  thieves  of  all  classes, 
some  prigs  of  the  lowest  grade,  and  many  of  those  nocturnal 
marauders  who  divide  their  existence  into  two  parts,  consecrating 
it  to  the  duties  of  theft  and  riot.  It  may  be  supposed  that  slang 
is  the  only  language  of  this  delightful  society  :  it  is  generally  in 
French,  but  so  perverted  from  its  primitive  signification,  that  there 
it  not  a  member  of  the  distinguished  '  company  of  forty '  who  can 
flatter  himself  with  a  full  knowledge  of  it,  and  yet  the  *  dons  of 
Guillotin's  '  have  their  purists:  those  who  assert  that  slang  took  its 
rise  in  the  East,  and  without  thinking  for  a  moment  of  disputing 
their  talent  as  Orientalists,  they  take  that  title  to  themselves  with- 
out any  ceremony,  as  also  that  of  Argonauts,  when  they  have  com- 
pleted their  studies  under  the  direction  of  the  galley-sergeants,  in 
working,  in  the  port  of  Toulon,  the  dormant  navigation  on  board 
a  vessel  in  dock.  If  notes  were  pleasing  to  me,  I  could  here  seize 
the  opportunity  of  making  some  very  learned  remarks.  I  should, 
perhaps,  go  into  a  profound  disquisition,  but  I  am  about  to  paint 
the  paradise  of  these  bacchanalians ;  the  colours  are  prepared — let 
us  finish  the  picture. 

If  they  drink  at  Guillotin's,  they  eat  also,  and  the  mysteries  of 
the  kitchen  of  this  place  of  delights  are  well  worthy  of  being  known. 
The  little  Father  Guillotin  has  no  butcher,  but  he  has  a  purveyor ; 
and  in  his  brass  stew-pans,  the  ver  ligris  of  which  never  poisons, 
the  dead  horse  is  transformed  into  beef  a-la-mode ,  the  thighs  of 
the  dead  dogs  found  in  Rue  Gudnegaud  become  legs  of  mutton 
from  the  salt  marshes  ;  and  the  magic  of  a  piquant  sauce  gives  to 
the  staggering  bob  (dead-born  veal)  of  the  cow-feeder  the  appetizing 
of  that  of  Pontoise.  We,  are  told  that  the  cheer  in  winter  is 

21 


322  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

excellent,  when  the  rot  prevails  ;  and  if  ever  bread  were  scarce  in 
summer  during  the  '  massacre  of  the  innocents,'  mutton  was  to  be 
had  here  at  a  very  cheap  rate. 

In  this  country  of  metamorphoses  the  hare  never  had  the  right 
of  citizenship ;  it  was  compelled  to  yield  to  the  rabbit,  and  the 
rabbit — how  happy  the  rats  are ! 

' Ofortunati  nimium — si  n6rint' 

It  was  the  Domine  of  St.  Mand£  who  taught  me  this  quotation  ; 
he  told  me  it  was  Latin,  perhaps  it  may  be  Greek  or  Hebrew  ; — 
no  matter,  I  leave  it,  come  what  may,  to  the  will  of  God  ;  but  still, 
if  the  rats  could  ever  have  seen  what  I  have  seen,  unless  they  had 
been  an  ingrate  and  perverse  race,  they  would  have  opened  a  sub- 
scription for  the  erection  of  a  statue  to  the  Liberator,  little  Father 
Guillotin. 

One  evening,  led  by  my  inclination,  which  a  good  Frenchman 
always  follows,  I  went  out;  in  my  road  I  accidentally  pushed 
against  a  door,  it  gave  way,  and,  by  the  freshness  of  the  air,  I 
found  I  was  in  a  court ;  the  place  was  propitious,  and  I  groped 
along,  until  I  made  a  trip  over  some  paving  stones  which  had  been 
left  in  the  way.  I  stretched  out  my  arms  to  recover  myself,  and 
whilst  with  one  hand  I  grasped  hold  of  a  post,  I  seized  with  the 
other  something  very  soft  and  very  long.  I  was  in  darkness,  but 
fancied  I  saw  several  sparks  shining,  and  by  the  touch  I  thought  *I 
recognised  a  certain  velvet  appendage  of  a  quadruped's  vertebral 
column.  I  kept  hold  of  a  bunch  of  it,  and  drawing  it  through  my 
hand,  there  remained  a  packet  of  spoils,  with  which  I  entered  the 
room  at  the  very  moment  when  M.  Double-Croche,  pointing  out 
the  figures  to  the  dancers,  was  howling  out  '  la  queue  du  chat  '- 
(the  cat's  tail). 

It  needs  not  to  be  asked  how  very  a  propos  this  was ;  there 
was  throughout  the  assembly  a  general  mewing,  but  it  was  only  a 
joke ;  the  lovers  of  fricassee  mewed  liked  the  rest,  and,  after 
having  taken  their  caps  off,  they  said,  *  Come  on,  here  is  the  good 
stuff!  Covered  by  cat-skin,  and  fed  on  cats,  we  shall  not  soon  be 
in  want ;  the  mother  of  tom-cats  is  not  yet  dead.' 

Father  Guillotin  consumed  generally  more  oil  than  cotton,  but 
I  can,  nevertheless,  affirm  that,  in  my  time,  some  banquets  have 
been  spread  at  his  cabaret,  which,  subtracting  the  liquids,  could 
not  have  cost  more  at  the  Cafe  Riche  or  at  Grignon's.  I  remem- 
ber six  individuals,  named  Driancourt,  Vilaites,  Pitroux,  and  three 
others,  who  found  means  to  spend  166  francs  there  in  one  night. 
In  fact,  each  one  of  them  had  with  him  his  favourite  bella.  The 
citizen  no  doubt  pretty  well  fleeced  them,  but  they  did  not  com- 


GUILLOTINES.  323 

plain,  and  that  quarter  of  an  hour  which  Rabelais  had  so  much 
difficulty  in  passing,  caused  them  no  trouble ;  they  paid  like 
grandees,  without  forgetting  the  waiter.  I  apprehended  them 
whilst  they  were  paying  the  bill,  which  they  had  not  even  taken 
the  trouble  of  examining.  Thieves  are  generous  when  they  are 
caught  *  i'  the  vein.'  They  had  just  committed  many  considerable 
robberies,  which  they  are  now  repenting  in  the  Bagnes  of  France. 

It  can  scarcely  be  believed  that  in  the  centre  of  civilization 
there  can  exist  a  den  so  hideous  as  the  cave  of  Guillotin  ;  it  must 
be  seen,  as  I  have  seen  it,  to  be  believed.  Men  or  women  all 
smoked  as  they  danced,  the  pipe  passed  from  mouth  to  mouth, 
and  the  most  refined  gallantry  that  could  be  offered  to  the  nymphs 
who  came  to  this  rendezvous,  to  display  their  graces  in  the 
postures  and  attitudes  of  the  indecent  Chahut,  was  to  offer  them 
\h.z  pruneau,  that  is,  the  quid  of  tobacco,  submitted  or  not,  ac- 
cording to  the  degree  of  familiarity,  to  the  test  of  a  previous 
mastication.  The  peace-officers  and  inspectors  were  characters 
too  greatly  distinguished  to  appear  among  such  an  assemblage — 
they  kept  themselves  most  scrupulously  aloof,  to  avoid  so  repug- 
nant a  contact ;  I  myself  was  much  disgusted  with  it,  but  at  the 
same  time  was  persuaded,  that  to  discover  and  apprehend  male- 
factors, it  would  not  do  to  wait  until  they  should  come  and  throw 
themselves  into  my  arms ;  I  therefore  determined  to  seek  them 
out,  and  that  my  searches  might  not  be  fruitless,  I  endeavoured 
to  find  out  their  haunts,  and  then,  like  a  fisherman  who  has  found 
a  preserve,  I  cast  my  line  out  with  a  certainty  of  a  bite.  I  did  not 
lose  my  time  in  searching  for  a  needle  in  a  bottle  of  hay,  as  the 
saying  is ;  when  we  lack  water,  it  is  useless  to  go  to  the  source  of 
a  dried-up  stream  and  wait  for  a  shower  of  rain ;  but  to  quit  all 
metaphor,  and  speak  plainly — the  spy  who  really  means  to  ferret 
out  the  robbers,  ought,  as  much  as  possible,  to  dwell  amongst 
them,  that  he  may  grasp  at  every  opportunity  which  presents  itself 
of  drawing  down  upon  their  heads  the  sentence  of  the  laws.  Upon 
this  principle  I  acted,  and  this  caused  my  recruits  to  say  that  I 
made  men  robbers;  I  certainly  have,  in  this  way,  made  a  vast 
many,  particularly  on  my  first  connection  with  the  police. 

On  a  particular  afternoon  I  had  a  presentiment  that  a  visit  to 
Guillotin's  would  not  be  without  its  results.  Without  being  super- 
stitious, I  know  not  why,  1  have  always  followed  these  inspirations; 
I  put  my  wardrobe  in  requisition,  and,  after  having  suited  myself 
so  as  not  to  bear  any  appearance  of  being  a  greenhorn,  I  left  my 
house  with  another  secret  agent,  named  Riboulet,  a  downy  cove> 
whom  all  the  houris  of  the  boozing  ken  claimed  as  their  chevalier, 
as  did  also  the  milliners'  girls,  who  considered  him  as  a  complete 

21 — 9 


324  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

kiddy.  For  such  an  excursion,  a  woman  was  an  indispensable 
portion  of  the  baggage,  and  Riboulet  had  one  who  just  suited  us ; 
she  passed  as  his  mistress,  and  was  a  common  woman,  called 
Manon  la  Blonde,  on  whom  he  assured  me  that  reliance  could  be 
placed.  In  two  seconds  she  rent  her  woollen  stockings  in  twenty 
places,  tore  the  edges  of  her  red  cloak,  begrimed  her  shawl,  trod 
her  shoes  down  at  heel,  dishevelled  her  locks,  and  gave  to  the 
kerchief  with  which  she  graced  her  brows  that  indescribable  appear- 
ance which  was  necessary.  She  was  highly  delighted  with  the 
character  she  had  to  perform. 

Thus  attired  and  prepared,  we  set  out  together,  arm-in-arm, 
towards  la  Courtille.  On  reaching  the  cabaret,  we  seated  our- 
selves at  a  table  in  the  corner,  that  we  might  the  more  easily  watch 
whatever  should  pass.  Riboulet  was  one  of  those  men  whose  very 
appearance  commanded  instant  attention  :  he  had  not  spoken,  nor 
had  I,  but  yet  we  were  instantly  attended  to. 

'  You  see,'  said  he,  '  the  cove  knows  the  time  o'  day,  the  lush 
(wine),  meat,  and  salad.' 

I  asked  if  we  could  not  have  a  matelote  of  eels. 

'  Snakes,'  cried  Manon,  '  do  you  want  ?  cag-mag  and  snivellers 
(stinking  meat  and  onions)  would  be  as  good.' 

I  said  no  more,  and  we  began  to  eat  with  as  much  appetite  as 
if  we  had  never  been  initiated  into  the  mysteries  of  Papa  Guillotin's 
cookery. 

During  the  repast,  a  noise  at  the  door  attracted  our  attention. 
It  proceeded  from  some  conquerors  who  made  their  triumphal 
entry  :  men  and  women,  six  in  number,  forming  three  couples  of 
individuals  whose  *  human  face  divine '  was  most  tremendously 
disfigured  :  they  all  had  scratched  countenances  and  black  eyes  ; 
by  the  bloody  disorder  of  their  attire,  and  the  freshness  of  their 
dilapidations  in  face  and  garments,  it  was  easy  to  perceive  that 
they  were  the  heroes  of  some  spree,  in  which  on  both  sides  the 
quarrel  had  been  decided  by  fisticuffs.  They  approached  our 
table. 

ONE  OF  THE  HEROES.  {  By  your  leave,  my  trumps,  is  there 
room  for  us  on  this  here  seat  ?' 

I.  'We  shall  be  squeezed  a  little,  but  never  mind'  (making 
room). 

RIBOULET  (addressing  me).  *  Come,  my  covey,  make  room  for 
the  gentlemen.' 

MANON  (to  the  fresh  arrivals).   *  Are  these  ladies  with  you?' 

ONE  OF  THE  HEROINES.  '  Vat  is  it  you  say  ?'  (turning  to  her 
friends),  *  vat  does  she  say  ?' 

HER  PAL.  '  Hold  your  jaw,  Titine  (Celestine),  the  lady  said 
nothing  to  affront  you.' 


GUILLOTINES.  325 

The  whole  party  seated  themselves. 

A  HERO.  *  Halloo  !  come  here,  Daddy  Guillotin ;  a  little  black 
father,  four  year  old,  for  eight  mag.'  (A  four-quart  jug  for  eight 
sous.) 

GUILLOTIN.   'Coming,  coming.' 

THE  WAITER  (with  the  jug  in  his  hand).  'Thirty-two  magt  if  you 
please.' 

4  I'll  give  you  two-and-thirty  kicks  of  the ;  you're  chaffing 

us,  my  rum  un.' 

WAITER.  *  No,  my  knowing  ones,  but  it's  the  custom,  or,  if  you 
like,  the  way  of  this  here  house.' 

The  wine  was  poured  into  all  the  glasses,  and  they  also  filled 
ours.  *  Excuse  the  liberty,'  said  the  Ganymede  of  the  party. 

1  Oh,  there's  no  harm  done,'  replied  Riboulet 

'  You  know  one  politeness  requires  another.' 

'  But  you  are  too  polite.' 

'  Oh  no,  drink  away,  nunky  pays  for  all.' 

'  You  are  right  my  boys,  so  push  the  wine  about.' 

We  did  push  it  about,  and  so  well,  that  about  ten  o'clock  in  the 
evening  all  the  sympathy  left  between  us  was  manifested  by  pro- 
testations, sight  being  lost ;  and  by  those  explosions  of  drunken 
tenderness  which  develop  all  the  infirmities  of  the  human  heart. 

When  the  hour  of  parting  had  arrived,  our  new  acquaintances, 
and  particularly  the  softer  sex,  were  completely  drunk.  Riboulet 
and  his  mistress  were  only  somewhat  elevated,  as  well  as  myself ; 
they  had  preserved  their  senses,  but  to  appear  all  in  unison  we 
pretended  to  be  so  tipsy  as  to  be  unable  to  walk  ;  formed  into  a 
phalanx,  because  in  that  way  the  gusts  of  wind  are  less  to  be  feared, 
we  left  the  theatre  of  our  pleasures.  Then,  that  we  might  neutra- 
lize, by  the  aid  of  a  chant^  the  reeling  tendencies  of  our  troop, 
Riboulet,  with  a  voice  whose  echoes  vibrated  in  every  court  and 
alley,  began  to  sing,  in  the  most  finished  slang  of  his  time,  one  of 
those  ballads  with  a  chorus,  which  are  as  long  as  to-day  and  to- 
morrow. 

'  As  from  ken  (a)  to  ken  I  was  going, 

Doing  a  hit  on  the  prigging  lay  (6) : 
Who  should  I  meet,  but  a  jolly  blowen  (c) 

Tol  lol,  lol  lol,  tol  derol,  ay  ; 
Who  should  I  meet,  but  a  jolly  blowen, 

Who  was  fly  (d)  to  the  time  o'  day  (*). 

(a)  Ken— shop,  house.  (H)     Prigging  lay— thieving  business. 

(c)  Bio-wen — girl,  strumpet,  sweetheart. 

(d)  Fly  [contraction  of  Jlash~\,  awake—  up  to,  practised  in. 

(e)  Time  o*  day — knowledge  of  business,  thieving,  etc. 


326  MEMOIRS  OF  VWOCQ. 

1  Who  should  I  meet,  but  a  jolly  blowen, 

Who  was  fly  to  the  time  o'  day  ; 
I  pattered  in  flash  (/),  like  a  covey  (g),  knowing 

Tol  lol,  etc. 
"  Ay,  bub  or  grubby  (h)t  I  say." 

'  I  pattered  in  flash,  like  a  covey  knowing, 

"Ay,  bub,  or  grubby,  I  say." — 
"  Lots  of  gatter  "  (i),  quo'  she,  "  are  flowing* 

Tol  lol,  etc. 
Lend  me  a  lift  in  the  family  way  (/). 

"Lots  of  gatter,"  quo'  she,  "are  flowing, 

Lend  me  a  lift  in  the  family  way. 
You  may  have  a  crib  (k)  to  stow  in, 

Tol  lol,  etc. 
Welcome  my  pal  (/),  as  the  flowers  in  May. 

'  "  You  may  have  a  crib  to  stow  in, 

Welcome,  my  pal,  as  the  flowers  in  May." 
To  her  ken  at  once  I  go  in, 

Tol  lol,  etc. 
Where  in  a  corner  out  of  the  way  ; 

'  To  her  ken  at  once  I  go  in, 

Where  in  a  corner,  out  of  the  way, 
With  his  smeller  (tn),  a  trumpet-blowing, 

Tol  lol,  etc. 
A  regular  swell-cove  (n)  lushy  (o)  lay. 

'  With  his  smeller,  a  trumpet -blowing, 

A  regular  swell-cove  lushy  lay  ; 
To  his  dies  (/)  my  hooks  (y)  I  throw  in, 

Tol  lol,  etc. 
And  collar  his  dragons  (r)  clear  away. 

'  To  his  dies  my  hooks  I  throw  in, 

And  collar  his  dragons  clear  away  $ 
Then  his  ticker  (s)  I  set  a-going, 

Tol  lol,  etc. 
And  his  onions  (/),  chain,  and  key. 

'  Then  his  ticker  I  set  a-going, 

With  his  onions,  chain,  and  key. 
Next  slipt  off  his  bottom  clo'ing, 

Tol  lol,  etc. 
And  his  gingerbread  topper  gay. 

(f)  Pattered  in  fash— spoke  in  slang.  fc)    Covey— man. 

(h)  Bub  and  grub— drink  and  food.  (a>)     Gatter— porter. 

(j )  Family — thieves  in  general.      2 he  family  way— the  thieving  line. 

j/6)  Crio-bed.  (/)      /fc/— friend,  companion,  paramour. 

(m)  Smetfer—nose.      Trumpet-blowing  here  is  not  slang,   but  poetry  for 
snoring.  (n)     Swell-cove— gentleman,  dandy. 

(o)  Lushy— drunk.    ^  (p)     dies— pockets. 

(q)  hooks — fingers  ;  in  full,  thieving  hooks, 

(r)  Collar  his  dragons—  take  his  sovereigns. 

(s)  Ticfor—vi&tch.  (/)     Onions— seals. 


GUILLOTINES.  327 

•  Next  slipt  off  his  bottom  clo'ing, 

And  his  gingerbread  topper  gay. 
Then  his  other  toggery  (w,  stowing, 

Tol  lol,  etc. 
All  with  the  swag  (v),  I  sneak  away. 

'  Then  his  other  toggery  stowing, 
All  with  the  swag,  I  sneak  away  ; 

•  "Tramp  it,  tramp  it,  my  jolly  blowen, 

Tol  lol,  etc. 
Or  be  grabbed  (w)  by  the  beaks  (x)  we  may. 

•  **  Tramp  it,  tramp  it,  my  jolly  blowen, 

Or  be  grabbed  by  the  beaks  we  may  ; 
And  we  shall  caper  a-heel-and-toeing, 

Tol  lol,  etc. 
A  Newgate  hornpipe  some  fine  day. 

•  "  And  we  shall  caper  a-heel  and -toeing, 

A  Newgate  hornpipe  some  fine  day  ; 
With  the  mots(y)  their  ogles(^)  throwing, 

Tol  lol,  etc. 
And  old  Cotton  (aa)  humming  his  pray  (bb). 

•  "  With  the  mots  their  ogles  throwing, 

And  old  Cotton  humming  his  pray; 
And  the  fogle-hunters  (cc)  doing, 

Toi  lol,  etc. 
Their  morning  fake  (dd)  in  the  prigging  lay."1 

Riboulet  having  been  safely  delivered  of  his  fourteen  couplets. 
Manon  la  Blonde  was  desirous  of  evincing  the  powers  of  her  lungs, 
*  Now  for  another  !'  said  she. 

The  chorus,  which  we  took  up,  as  it  were,  from  Manon's  mouth, 
was  repeated  eight  or  ten  times,  in  a  manner  which  almost  broke 
the  windows  of  the  house  about  us.  After  this  burst  of  bacchana- 
lian hilarity,  the  first  fumes  of  wine,  which  are  usually  most  potent, 
beginning  somewhat  to  dissipate,  we  entered  into  conversation. 
The  chapter  of  confidences,  according  to  custom,  opened  by  inter- 
rogatories. I  did  not  require  to  be  much  questioned,  but  went 
beyond  the  communications  which  they  desired  to  know:  a  stranger 
in  Paris,  I  had  only  known  Riboulet  in  prison  at  Valenciennes, 
when  he  was  sent  back  to  his  regiment  as  a  deserter ;  he  was  a 
college  chum  (a  fellow-prisoner),  whom  I  had  met  again.  As  to  the 
rest,  I  took  care  to  represent  myself  in  colours  which  charmed 
them  :  I  was  a  thorough  out-and-outer.  I  know  not  what  I  have 

(u)     Toggery — clothes,  from  toga.  (v)     Swag—  plunder. 

(w)    Grabbed — taken.         (x)     Beaks  —  Police-officers.       (y)     Mots — girls. 

(z)     Ogtes—eyes.  (aa)  Old  Cotton— the  Ordinary  of  Newgate. 

(bb]   Humming  his  pray — saying  his  prayers. 

(cc)   Fogle-hunters — pickpockets. 

(dd)  Morning  fake — morning  thievery 


328  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

not  done,  and  was  ready  to  do  anything.  I  unbosomed  myself 
that  they  might  unbosom  as  freely  in  their  turn ;  it  is  a  tactic  which 
has  often  been  successful  with  me  :  the  party  soon  chattered  like 
magpies,  and  I  became  as  well  acquainted  with  all  their  doings  as 
if  I  had  never  been  separated  from  them.  They  told  me  their 
names,  residences,  exploits,  misfortunes,  hopes  :  they  had  met  a 
man  who  was  really  worthy  of  their  confidence ;  I  returned  it,  I 
suited  them,  and  all  was  said. 

Such  explanations  always  make  a  man  thirsty,  more  or  less :  all 
the  liquor-shops  in  our  road  were  visited  :  more  than  a  hundred 
toasts  were  drunk  in  honour  of  our  new  convention,  and  we  were 
not  to  separate  again.  '  Come  along  with  us,  come,'  they  said, 
and  they  were  so  pressing,  that,  quite  unable  to  refuse  their  im- 
portunities, I  agreed  to  go  to  their  abode,  Rue  des  Filles-Dieu> 
No.  14,  where  they  lodged  in  a  furnished  house.  Once  in  their 
abode,  it  was  impossible  to  refuse  a  share  of  their  bed  :  it  is  diffi- 
cult to  describe  what  good  fellows  they  were  ;  and  so  was  I,  and 
they  were  the  better  convinced  of  it,  as,  during  an  hour,  whilst  I 
pretended  to  be  sleeping,  my  friend  Riboulet  passed  a  eulogy  on 
me,  in  a  low  tone  of  voice,  of  which  not  even  half  was  true,  or  I 
should  have  richly  merited  a  sentence  for  ten  times  the  term  of 
my  natural  life.  At  last  Riboulet  had  so  completely  placed  me  in 
good  odour  with  our  hosts,  that  about  break  of  day  they  proposed 
to  me  to  go  out  upon  a  job  with  them,  a  robbery  which  they  had 
planned  in  the  Rue  de  la  Verrerie. 

I  had  only  just  time  to  warn  the  chief  of  the  second  division, 
who  made  his  arrangements  so  well,  that  they  were  apprehended 
with  the  property  about  their  persons.  Riboulet  and  I  remained 
on  the  lookout,  to  give  alarm  in  case  of  danger,  as  the  thieves  be- 
lieved, but,  in  fact,  to  see  if  the  police  were  on  their  posts.  When 
they  passed  near  us,  all  three  in  a  coach,  whence  they  could  not 
see  us,  '  Well  !'  said  Riboulet,  *  there  they  are,  taken  in  the  very 
act.'  They  were  also  condemned;  and  if  the  names  of  Debuire, 
Role,  and  Hippolyte,  called  la  Biche,  are  still  on  the  muster-roll 
at  the  Bagnes,  it  is  the  result  of  an  evening  passed  at  Guillotin's 
amongst  the  children  of  the  sun. 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

A  frequenter  of  La  Petite  Chaise— A  nocturnal  abduction — The  jolly  thief- 
First  visit  to  Bicetre  —My  life  threatened — The  storm  appeased. 

THIEVES  frequently  fell  into  my  clutches  when  I  least  expected 
them ;  it  was  said  that  their  evil  genius  impelled  them  to  come 
and  find  me.  It  must  be  confessed  that  those  who  thus  flung 


<JEAN  LOUIS:  329 

themselves  into  the  wolf's  throat  were  horribly  unlucky  or  infernally 
stupid.  When  I  saw  with  what  facility  the  majority  of  them  gave 
themselves  up,  I  was  really  astonished  that  they  should  have  chosen 
a  profession  in  which,  to  avoid  perils,  so  many  precautions  are  neces- 
sary :  some  of  them  were  such  good-natured  fellows,  that  I  con- 
sidered as  almost  miraculous  the  impunity  which  they  had  enjoyed 
up  to  the  moment  when  they  met  me,  and  paid  the  reckoning  of 
their  crimes,  It  is  incredible  that  any  individuals  created  expressly 
to  fall  into  any  plot  or  snare,  should  have  awaited  my  coming  to 
the  police  to  be  caught.  Before  my  time  the  police  were  either 
most  clumsily  arranged,  or  else  I  was  singularly  fortunate  :  under 
any  circumstances  it  is,  as  they  say,  *  give  a  man  luck,  and  fling 
him  into  the  sea.'  The  following- recital  is  in  point.  One  day, 
towards  twilight,  dressed  like  a  workman  of  the  dockyards,  I  was 
seated  on  the  parapet  of  the  Quai  de  Ge\res,  when  I  saw,  coming 
towards  me,  an  individual  whom  I  knew  to  be  one  of  the  fre- 
quenters of  the  Petite  Chaise  and  the  Bon  Puits,  two  cabarets  of 
renown  for  robbers. 

'  Good  evening,  Jean  Louis,'  said  this  person,  accosting  me. 

1  Good  evening,  my  lad.' 

*  What  the  devil  are  you  doing  there  ?    You  look  as  if  you  were 
funking  !' 

1  What  do  you  mean,  my  boy  ?  When  the  belly  grumbles  the 
mouth  mumbles.' 

*  What !  the  cupboard  empty !  that  is  not  right  for  you,  who  are 
one  of  \htfaniily' 

'  Very  true,  but  'tis  so.' 

*  Come  along,  then,  let  us  have  a  quart  at  Niguenac's :  I  have 
twenty  browns  left,  and  we  will  see  how  far  they  will  go.' 

He  conducted  me  to  a  vintner's,  and  called  for  a  bottle,  and 
then,  leaving  me  for  an  instant,  returned  with  two  pounds  of 
potatoes.  '  Here,'  he  said,  putting  them  smoking  hot  upon  the 
table,  '  here  are  some  gudgeons  caught  with  a  spade  in  the  fields 
of  Sablons  ;  they  are  not  fried  though.' 

'  These  are  oranges,  but  we  want  some  salt' 

'  Salt,  my  lad,  that  will  not  ruin  us.' 

The  salt  was  brought,  and,  although  an  hour  before  I  had  made 
an  excellent  dinner  at  Martin's,  I  fell  on  the  potatoes  and  devoured 
them  as  if  I  had  not  tasted  food  for  a  couple  of  days. 

'  You  peg  away,'  said  he,  *  as  if  you  would  crash  your  ivories 
(teeth) ;  one  would  think  that  you  were  tucking  in  at  a  regular 
spread' 

*  Oh,  my  lad,  all  that  goes  down  the  gullet  fills  the  belly.1 
'Very  true,  very  true,' 


330  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ, 

Mouthful  followed  mouthful  with  prodigious  rapidity,  and  I  did 
nothing  but  peel  and  swallow :  I  cannot  tell  how  it  was  that  I  was 
not  literally  crammed,  but  my  stomach  had  never  been  more  com- 
plaisant. At  last  my  task  was  done,  my  comrade  offered  me  a 
quid,  and  thus  addressed  me  : 

*  On  the  word  of  a  man,  and  as  true  as  my  name  is  Masson,  and 
is  the  same  as  my  father's,  I  have  always  considered  you  a  hearty 
blade ;  I  know  you  have  been  unfortunate,  I  have  been  told  so, 
but  the  devil's  hoof  is  not  always  at  the  poor  man's  door,  and  if  you 
like  I  can  put  you  on  a  good  scent.' 

'  That  would  not,  perhaps,  suit  me,  for  my  rigging  is  not  over 
and  above  excellent.' 

'  True  !  I  see,  I  see '  (looking  at  my  clothes,  which  were  rather 
tattered),  *  it  seems  at  this  moment  that  you  are  not  the  luckiest  cove 
in  the  world.' 

*  Very  right :  I  have  most  urgent  need  of  a  new  fit  out.' 

*  In  that  case  come  with  me  ;  I  have  a  locksmith's  daughter  with 
which  I  shall  clear  out  an  apartment  this  evening.' 

1  Tell  me  all  about  it,  for  I  must  learn  the  particulars  before  I 
can  join  you  in  it.' 

'  What  a  flat  you  are,  there  is  no  occasion  for  you  to  bey?)'.' 

*  Oh  !  that  is  all  true  as  gospel,  and  I  am  your  man,  only  you 
can  explain  in  two  words ' 

'  Now,  hold  your  gab ;  I  tell  you  my  plan  is  settled,  and  the 
booty  sure  :  fot fences  ken'  (receiver's  house)  'is  only  a  stone's  throw 
off.  As  soon  as  prigged,  so  soon  disposed  of;  it  is  a  good  haul, 
and  you  shall  have  your  whack.' 

1  Come,  then,  let  us  be  off.' 

Masson  conducted  me  to  the  Boulevard  Saint  Denis,  which  we 
traversed  until  we  came  to  a  heap  of  stones.  There  he  stopped, 
looked  about  him  to  see  that  no  one  was  watching,  and  then,  going 
up  to  the  pile,  he  took  off  several  lumps,  put  his  hand  into  the 
cavity,  and  fished  up  a  bunch  of  keys. 

*  I  have  now  all  the  herbs  of  Saint  John,'  said  he,  *  and  we  will 
go  together  to  the  corn-market.' 

On  reaching  the  place,  he  pointed  out  to  me,  at  a  small  distance, 
and  almost  opposite  the  guard-house,  the  house  which  he  intended 
to  enter. 

*  Now,  my  boy,'  said  he,  '  do  not  go  far  distant,  wait  for  me,  and 
keep  your  weather-eye  open \  I  am  going  to  see  if  the  mot  has 
mizzled'  (if  the  woman  of  the  house  has  gone  out). 

Masson  opened  the  side-door,  but  no  sooner  had  he  shut  it  after 
him  than  I  ran  to  the  post,  where,  making  myself  known  to  the 
chief,  I  hastily  told  him  that  a  robbery  was  then  committing,  and 


A  ROBBERY.  331 

that  no  time  was  to  be  lost,  if  they  would  secure  the  robber  with 
the  property  in  his  possession.     Having  done  this,  I  returned  to 
the  place  where  Masson  had  left  me.     Hardly  had  I  got  there, 
when  some  person,  advancing  towards  me,  said : 
{ Is  it  you,  Jean  Louis  ?' 

*  Yes,  it  is  me,'  was  my  reply,  testifying  my  astonishment  that  he 
had  returned  empty-handed. 

*  Oh,  say  nothing  about  it ;  a  devil  of  a  neighbour  came  up  the 
staircase  and  deranged  my  plans  ;  but  what  is  deferred  is  not  lost. 
Minute  follows  minute,  and  the  mutton  is  boiled  at  last,  as  you  will 
see  ;  one  must  not  compromise  one's  self.' 

He  then  left  me  again,  and  was  not  long  in  reappearing  with  a 
very  large  bundle,  under  the  weight  of  which  he  was  almost  sinking. 
He  passed  me  without  uttering  a  word  :  I  followed,  and  walking 
in  close  files,  two  guards,  armed  only  with  the  bayonet,  followed 
him  also,  making  the  least  possible  noise. 

It  was  necessary  to  know  where  he  deposited  his  booty.  He 
entered  a  shopkeeper's  at  the  Rue  du  Tour  (the  Death's  Head)  where 
he  only  stopped  a  moment. 

'  It  was  heavy,'  said  he,  on  coming  out,  *  and  I  have  still  a  good 
castlo  haul  in.' 

I  allowed  him  to  go  on,  and  returning  again  to  the  room  he  had 
before  entered,  he  completed  the  gutting  of  it ;  and  scarcely  had 
ten  minutes  elapsed  before  he  descended  the  second  time,  carrying 
on  his  head  a  bed,  mattresses,  quilts,  curtains,  and  sheets.  He 
had  not  had  time  to  make  a  good  bundle  of  them,  and  on  crossing 
the  threshold,  being  stopped  by  the  narrowness  of  the  door,  and 
unwilling  to  drop  his  prey,  he  stumbled  and  almost  fell,  but  re- 
covering himself,  he  began  his  journey,  beckoning  me  to  follow 
him.  At  a  turn  of  the  street  he  came  up  to  me,  and  said,  in  a 
low  voice  : 

'  I  think  I  shall  go  back  the  third  time,  if  you  will  go  up  with 
me,  as  we  can  then  get  down  the  window-curtains  and  blinds.' 

*  Agreed,'  said  I ;  '  when  one  sleeps  on  straw,  curtains  are  a 
luxury.' 

'  A  luxury,  indeed,'  said  he,  smiling ;  *  but  no  time  must  be  lost 
in  chatter;  do  not  go  far  away,  and  1  will  hail  you  as  I  pass.' 

Masson  went  on  his  way,  but  at  a  short  distance  from  where  we 
had  met  we  were  both  stopped.  We  were  first  conducted  to  the 
guard-house,  and  afterwards  to  the  commissary,  who  interrogated  us. 

'There  are  two  of  you,'  said  the  public  officer  to  Masson  (point- 
ing at  me) ;  '  who  is  this  man  ?  I  suppose  a  thief  like  yourself.' 

'  Who  is  this  man?  Do  I  know  him  ?  Ask  himself.  When  I 
shall  have  seen  him  once  more,  that  will  be  the  second  time.' 


332  MEMOIRS  Of   VIDOCQ, 

'  You  must  hot  tell  me  that  there  is  no  collusion  between  you, 
for  you  were  met  together.' 

'There  is  no  collusion,  my  worthy  commissary:  he  was  going 
on  one  side  of  the  way,  I  was  coming  on  the  other ;  just  as  he 
was  passing  close  beside  me,  something  slid  from  me  ;  it  was  a 
pillow  ;  I  told  him  of  it,  and  he  stooped  to  pick  it  up,  and  just 
then  the  guard  came  up  and  nabbed  us  both  :  this  is  why  I  am 
now  before  you,  and  I  wish  I  may  die  if  it  is  not  the  actual  truth. 
Ask  him  if  it  is  not.' 

The  story  was  not  badly  imagined,  and  I  took  care  not  to  deny 
what  Masson  had  said,  but  follow  in  his  track  :  at  length  the  com- 
missary appeared  convinced.  '  Have  you  any  papers  ?'  he  inquired. 
I  showed  a  permission  of  residence,  which  was  pronounced  correct, 
and  my  dismissal  was  instantly  ordered.  An  evident  satisfaction 
pervaded  the  features  of  Masson,  when  he  heard  the  words  '  Allez- 
vous  coucher '  (*  Go  to  bed  ')  addressed  to  me  :  it  was  the  formula 
of  my  liberty,  and  he  was  so  much  rejoiced  at  it,  that  any  person 
must  have  been  blind  not  to  perceive  it. 

The  robber  was  still  kept,  and  nothing  remained  but  to  lay  hands 
on  the  female  receiver  before  she  had  disposed  of  the  property  in- 
trusted to  her.  An  immediate  search  was  made,  and,  surprised  in 
the  midst  of  most  material  evidence  which  condemned  her,  the 
Death's  Head  was  carried  off  from  her  trade  at  the  moment  when 
she  least  expected  it. 

Masson  was  taken  to  the  prefecture  of  police,  and  the  next  day, 
according  to  the  custom  of  thieves,  from  time  immemorial,  when  a 
brother  labourer  is  grabbed,  I  sent  him  a  twopenny  brown  loaf,  a 
hock  of  bacon,  and  a  franc.  I  was  told  that  he  felt  obliged  by  the 
attention,  but  had  not  the  slightest  suspicion  that  he  who  sent  him 
the  tribute  of  the  fraternity  was  the  cause  of  his  mishap.  It  was 
only  at  La  Force  that  he  learnt  that  Jean  Louis  and  Vidocq  were 
the  same  person,  and  then  he  devised  a  singular  means  of  defence ; 
he  asserted  that  I  was  the  author  of  the  robbery  with  which  he  was 
charged,  and  that,  wanting  his  aid  to  remove  the  property,  I  kad 
gone  to  seek  him  :  but  this  long  story  stated  to  the  court  would  not 
bear  him  out,  and  Masson  in  vain  pleaded  his  innocence  :  he  was 
sentenced  to  incarceration. 

A  short  time  afterwards  I  was  assisting  at  the  preparations  for  the 
departure  of  a  chain  of  galley-slaves,  when  Masson,  whom  I  had 
not  seen  since  his  apprehension,  saw  me  through  the  grating. 

1  Ha  !'  said  he  to  me,  '  Monsieur  Jean  Louis  :  and  so  it  was  you 
who  got  me  into  the  stone  jug.  Oh  !  if  I  had  known  that  you  were 
Vidocq,  I  would  have  made  you  pay  for  the  oranges  !' 

*  You  are  a  well-wisher  of  mine,  then  ;  you  who  made  me  the 
proposal  of  accompanying  you  !' 


333 

'Very  true,  but  you  never  told  me  that  you  were  a  nose? 

1  If  I  had  told  you  so  I  should  have  betrayed  my  trust,  and  that 
would  not  have  prevented  you  from  doing  the  job  ;  you  would  only 
have  chosen  another /#/.' 

'  But  you  are  not  the  less  a  rascal ;  I,  who  was  so  kind  to  you  ! 
Now,  I  would  rather  remain  here  as  long  as  my  life  continued  in 
my  body,  than  be  free,  as  you  are,  and  equally  dishonoured.' 

'  Every  man  to  his  taste.' 

'  That  is  very  fine  !  your  taste— a  nose,  a  spy — very  fine,  truly  !' 

*  Why,  it  is  as  respectable  a  trade  as  thieving  ;  besides,  but  for 
us,  what  would  the  honest  men  do  ?' 

At  these  words  he  burst  into  a  loud  fit  of  laughter. 

4  Honest  men  !  honest  men  !'  he  repeated  ;  '  you  really  make  me 
laugh  when  I  am  in  no  grinning  mood.  Honest  men  !  what  would 
become  of  them  ?  do  not  trouble  yourself,  for  it  cannot  concern 
you  ;  when  you  are  at  the  meadow  '  (Bagne)  *  again,  you  will  sing 
to  a  different  tune.' 

1  Oh  !  he  will  return  there,'  said  one  of  the  prisoners  who  was 
listening  to  us. 

'  He !'  cried  out  Masson  ;  '  we  do  not  want  him.  Luck  to  the 
jolly  boys  !  that's  the  thing.' 

Every  time  that  my  duties  called  me  to  Bicetre,  I  was  sure  that 
I  should  have  to  put  up  with  such  reproaches  as  I  received  from 
Masson.  I  seldom  entered  into  discussion  with  the  prisoner  who 
apostrophised  me,  but  I  was  not  always  silent,  for  fear  that  he 
might  suppose,  not  that  I  despised  him,  but  that  I  was  afraid  of 
him.  Being  in  the  presence  of  some  hundreds  of  malefactors,  who 
had  all,  more  or  less,  to  complain  of  me,  since  they  had  all  been 
apprehended  by  me,  it  may  be  supposed  that  it  was  necessary  to 
evince  some  firmness ;  but  this  firmness  was  never  more  requisite 
than  on  the  day  when  I  first  made  my  appearance  in  the  midst  of 
this  horrible  population. 

I  was  no  sooner  the  principal  agent  of  the  police  of  safety,  than, 
most  jealous  of  the  proper  fulfilment  of  the  duty  confided  to  me,  I 
devoted  myself  seriously  to  acquire  the  necessary  information.  It 
seemed  to  me  an  excellent  method  to  class,  as  accurately  as  pos- 
sible, the  descriptions  of  all  the  individuals  at  whom  the  finger  of 
justice  was  pointed.  I  could  thereby  more  readily  recognise  them 
if  they  should  escape,  and  at  the  expiration  of  the  sentence  it  be- 
came more  easy  for  me  to  have  that  surveillance  over  them  that 
was  required  of  me.  I  then  solicited  from  M.  Henry  authority 
to  go  to  Bicetre  with  my  auxiliaries,  that  I  might  examine,  during 
the  operation  of  fettering,  both  the  convicts  of  Paris  and  those 
from  the  provinces,  who  generally  assemble  on  the  same  chain. 


334  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

M.  Henry  made  many  observations  to  turn  me  from  a  step  of 
which  the  advantages  did  not  seem  to  him  proportioned  to  the 
imminent  danger  to  which  I  should  thereby  expose  myself. 

'  I  am  informed/  said  he  to  me,  '  that  the  prisoners  have  con- 
spired to  play  you  some  mischievous  trick.  If  you  persist — if  you 
go  at  the  departure  of  the  chain,  you  will  afford  them  an  oppor- 
tunity which  they  have  long  anxiously  awaited  :  and,  by  my  honour, 
whatever  precaution  you  may  take,  I  will  not  insure  your  safety.' 
I  thanked  this  gentleman  for  the  interest  which  he  testified  for  me, 
but  at  the  same  time  insisted  that  he  should  accord  me  the  per- 
mission I  asked  for,  and  he  at  length  gave  me  the  order  which  it 
was  necessary  for  me  to  obtain. 

On  the  day  of  fettering,  I  went  to  Bicetre  with  some  of  my 
agents  ;  I  entered  the  court,  and  instantly  a  most  tumultuous  uproar 
ensued,  mingled  with  cries  :  'Down  with  the  spies  !  down  with  the 
villain  !  down  with  Vidocq !'  were  heard  from  all  the  windows, 
where  the  prisoners,  mounted  on  each  other's  shoulders,  with  faces 
pressed  against  the  bars,  were  collected  in  groups.  I  advanced  a 
few  paces,  and  the  vociferations  redoubled ;  the  whole  place  re- 
sounded with  invectives  and  threats  of  destruction,  uttered  with 
accents  of  fury ;  it  was  a  most  infernal  sight  to  look  at  the  visages 
of  these  cannibals,  on  which  were  manifested,  by  horrible  contor- 
tions, the  thirst  of  blood  and  the  desire  of  vengeance.  There  was 
throughout  the  whole  prison  a  most  frightful  uproar ;  I  could  not 
restrain  an  impulse  of  terror,  and,  reproaching  myself  with  my 
imprudence,  was  almost  tempted  to  beat  a  retreat ;  but  suddenly 
my  courage  mounted.  '  What !'  said  I  to  myself,  '  thou  hast  not 
trembled  when  thou  hast  attacked  the  villains  in  their  dens:  they 
are  here  under  bolts  and  bars,  and  art  thou  now  scared?  Courage; 
if  thou  must  perish,  at  least  make  head  against  the  storm,  and  let 
them  not  think  they  have  intimidated  thee  !' 

This  return  to  a  resolution  more  suited  to  the  opinion  which 
should  really  be  formed  of  me,  was  so  rapid  as  to  leave  no  op- 
portunity for  any  person  to  remark  my  weakness  ;  I  soon  recovered 
all  my  courage,  and,  no  longer  burdened  by  a  shadow  of  fear, 
walked  boldly  forward  with  my  eyes  fixed  on  the  windows,  and 
advanced  to  those  of  the  lower  story.  At  this  moment,  a  new 
burst  of  rage  was  evinced  by  the  prisoners.  They  were  not  men, 
but  ferocious  beasts  who  were  roaring  :  it  was  a  tumult,  a  noise  ; 
it  might  have  been  thought  that  Bicetre  was  about  to  be  rent  from 
its  foundations,  and  that  the  walls  of  its  cells  were  actually  gaping 
open.  In  the  midst  of  this  outrageous  din,  I  made  a  signal  that  I 
wished  to  speak :  a  dead  silence  ensued  after  the  tempest,  and 
they  listened.  c  Scum  of  the  mob/  I  said, '  why  do  you  howl  thus? 


FIRST  VISIT  TO  B1CETRE.  335 

It  was  when  I  grabbed  you,  that  you  should  not  have  cried 
out,  but  defended  yourselves.  Shall  you  be  any  better  for  thus 
reproaching  me  ?  You  treat  me  as  a  spy ;  well,  I  am  a  spy,  but 
so  are  you  also,  for  there  is  not  one  amongst  you  who  has  not 
offered  to  sell  his  comrade  to  me,  in  the  hopes  of  thereby  obtain- 
ing an  impunity  which  I  would  not  grant  you  ;  I  rendered  you  to 
justice  because  you  were  culpable.  I  have  not  spared  you,  I  know  ; 
what  motives  have  I  for  doing  so  ?  Is  there  anyone  here  whom  I 
ever  knew  when  a  free  man,  who  can  reproach  me  with  ever  having 
been  his  accomplice  ?  Besides,  even  if  I  have  been  a  thief,  tell 
me  what  does  it  prove  but  that  I  am  more  skilful  or  fortunate  than 
you,  since  I  have  not  been  caught  in  the  fact  I  defy  the  most 
malicious  to  show  a  tittle  of  evidence  to  prove  that  I  have  been 
accused  of  robbery  or  swindling.  It  is  useless  to  seek  for  twelve 
o'clock  at  three  in  the  morning ;  oppose  me  by  a  single  fact,  one 
solitary  truth,  and  I  will  confess  myself  the  greatest  rogue  amongst 
you  all.  Is  it  the  profession  that  you  disapprove  ?  Let  those  who 
blame  me  most  for  this  tell  me  frankly,  whether  they  do  not  a 
hundred  times  a  day  desire  to  be  in  my  place  ?' 

This  harangue,  during  which  no  one  interrupt^  me,  was  followed 
by  hooting  and  shouting.  Soon  afterwards,  vociferations  and  roar- 
ings began  again,  but  I  felt  no  sensation  but  that  of  indignation, 
and,  transported  with  anger,  I  became  bold  even  beyond  my 
strength.  They  announced  that  the  convicts  were  about  to  be  led 
into  the  court  of  fetters  :  I  went  to  post  myself  in  the  passage,  at 
the  moment  when  they  came  to  the  call ;  and,  determined  on  sell- 
ing my  life  dearly,  I  awaited  until  they  should  try  to  accomplish 
their  threats  I  confess  that,  in  my  mind,  I  desired  much  that  one 
of  them  should  attempt  to  lay  hands  upon  me,  so  greatly  did  the 
desire  of  vengeance  animate  me.  Ill-fated  was  the  man  who  would 
have  dared  to  assail  me,  but  not  one  of  these  wretches  made  the 
least  attempt,  and  I  had  only  to  endure  the  scowling  look,  to  which 
I  responded  with  that  assurance  which  always  disconcerts  the 
enemy.  The  call  terminated,  a  low  murmur  was  the  prelude  to  a 
fresh  uproar :  they  vomited  forth  imprecations  against  me.  *  Let 
him  come  on  then  ;  he  remains  at  the  gate,'  the  convicts  bellowed 
forth,  adding  to  my  name  the  grossest  epithets.  Driven  to 
extremity  by  this  insolent  defiance,  I  entered  with  one  of  my 
agents,  and  went  into  the  midst  of  two  hundred  robbers,  the 
majority  of  whom  were  arrested  by  me.  '  Come  on,  my  friends, 
courage,'  cried  they  in  the  cells  in  which  they  were  shut  up  ;  '  look 
at  the  pig,  kill  him,  and  let  us  hear  no  more  about  him.' 

Now  or  never  was  the  time — '  Now,  gentlemen,'  said  I  to  the 
galley-slaves,  '  kill  him — you  §ee  that  they  advise  you  well ;  try.' 


336  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

I  do  not  know  what  revolution  of  opinion  actuated  them,  but  the 
more  I  was  in  their  power,  the  more  they  became  appeased  At 
the  termination  of  the  fettering,  those  men,  who  had  sworn  to 
exterminate  me,  were  so  much  softened,  that  many  of  them  begged 
me  to  render  them  slight  services.  They  had  no  reason  to  repent  of 
having  taxed  my  kindness,  and  the  next  day,  at  the  hour  of  de- 
parture, after  having  thanked  me,  they  bade  me  a  cordial  farewell. 
All  was  changed  from  black  to  white ;  the  most  mutinous  of  the 
previous  evening  had  become  supple,  respectful  at  least  in  appear- 
ance, and  almost  overpoweringly  so. 

This  was  an  experimental  lesson  of  which  I  never  lost  the 
remembrance.  It  proved  to  me  that,  with  persons  of  this  stamp, 
we  can  only  be  potent  when  resolute  :  to  keep  them  respectful,  it 
is  enough  to  have  awed  them  once.  From  this  period,  I  never 
allowed  the  chain  to  quit  unless  I  attended  the  fettering  of  the 
convicts,  and  with  very  few  exceptions,  I  was  never  afterwards  in- 
sulted. The  convicts  were  accustomed  to  see  me ;  if  I  did  not  go, 
it  seemed  as  if  they  missed  something,  and  in  fact,  nearly  all  of 
them  had  some  commission  to  give  me.  From  the  moment  they 
fell  under  the  control  of  civil  death,  I  was,  in  a  measure,  their 
testamentary  executor.  With  a  small  portion,  resentments  were 
not  obliterated,  but  a  thief  s  vengeance  is  not  lasting.  For  eighteen 
years  that  I  have  carried  on  the  war  with  thieves,  little  or  great, 
I  have  often  been  menaced ;  many  galley-slaves,  celebrated  for 
their  intrepidity,  have  made  oaths  to  assassinate  me  as  soon  as 
they  should  be  at  liberty ; — they  have  all  perjured  themselves,  and 
will  continue  to  do  so.  Am  I  asked  why  ?  It  is,  that,  at  first, 
the  only  affair  for  a  robber  is  to  rob  ;  that  alone  occupies  him.  If 
he  cannot  do  otherwise,  he  will  kill  me  to  get  my  purse,  that  is  his 
•'  vocation  ;' — he  will  kill  me  to  do  away  with  a  testimony  which 
would  destroy  him,  this  is  again  a  part  of  his  business  ; — he  will 
kill  me  to  avoid  punishment ; — but  when  the  punishment  is  in- 
flicted, what  purpose  would  it  answer  ?  Robbers  do  not  lose  time 
in  assassination. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

Suspicious  occurrence — The  swaPows  of  La  Greve — Madame  Bras,  or  the 
scrupulous  shopkeeper — 'Vidocq  caught,'  a  new  piece — I  play  the  part 
of  Vidocq — I  let  a  robber  escape — Accusing  stockings  and  cravat — Fight 
with  the  vintner — I  am  apprehended — My  deliverance  and  recognition. 

ONE  night,  half  of  which  had  been  spent  in  the  obscure  lurking 
places  of  the  Halle,  hoping  to  fall  in  with  some  thieves  who,  in  the 
overflow  of  that  good  nature  which  two  or  three  glasses  of  liquor, 
offered  at  a  fitting  time,  produce,  allow  themselves  to  be  pumped, 


A  SUSPICIOUS  OCCURRENCE.  337 

as  to  their  past  doings,  those  now  in  hand,  and  those  meditated, — 
I  was  retiring,  very  much  discomposed  at  having,  to  the  detriment 
of  my  stomach,  swallowed  from  pure  vexation  a  good  number  of 
small  glasses  of  that  diluted  spirit  to  which  vitriol  gives  the  strength 
and  flavour,  when  at  the  corner  of  the  Rue  des  Coutures  Saint- 
Gervais,  I  saw  several  individuals  squatted  in  the  embrasures  of 
the  doors.  By  the  light  of  the  lamps,  I  easily  distinguished  beside 
them  packets,  which  they  were  endeavouring  to  squeeze  into  a 
smaller  compass,  but  the  suspicious  whiteness  of  which  could  not 
fail  to  attract  attention.  Bundles  at  this  hour  of  the  night,  and 
men  who  seek  an  obscure  shelter  when  no  water  was  falling  ; — a 
prodigious  portion  of  perspicuity  was  not  wanting  to  find,  in  such  a 
combination  of  circumstances,  all  the  characteristics  of  a  suspicious 
occurrence.  I  made  up  my  mind  that  they  were  thieves,  and  the 
bundles  the  booty  which  they  had  just  obtained.  '  Good,'  said  I 
to  myself,  '  let  us  evince  no  suspicions,  but  follow  the  procession 
when  it  sets  forth,  and  if  it  passes  by  the  corps  de  garde,  catch  is 
the  word  ;  on  the  other  hand,  I  will  see  them  to  their  homes,  take 
the  address,  and  send  the  police  after  them.'  I  thereupon  made 
up  my  mind,  without  appearing  to  be  troubled  with  what  was 
behind  me,  but  scarcely  had  I  advanced  ten  paces  when  some  one 
calls,  '  Jean  Louis ' — it  was  the  voice  of  a  man  named  Richelot, 
whom  I  had  often  met  at  the  various  thieves'  haunts.  I  stopped 
naturally. 

'Ah  !  good  evening,  Richelot,'  said  I,  *  what  the  devil  are  you 
doing  here  at  this  time  of  the  morning?  Are  you  alone?  You 
look  frightened.' 

'  Well  I  may  be,  I  have  narrowly  escaped  being  nabbed  on  the 
Boulevard  du  Temple.' 

1  Nabbed!  and  why  ?' 

*  Why  ?  here,  come  this  way ;  do  you  see  our  friends  with  the 
bundles  ?' 

'  I  am  awake  ;  you  are  loaded  with  swag  (plunder).' 

I  approached  them  ;  and  the  whole  party  instantly  rising,  as 
soon  as  they  were  on  their  feet  I  recognised  Lapierre,  Commery, 
Lenoir,  and  Dubuisson  ;  they  all  four  hastened  to  assure  me  how 
glad  they  were  to  see  me,  and  to  extend  the  hand  of  friendship 
to  me. 

COMMERY.  *  Ah  !  we  narrowly  escaped  ;  my  heart  still  thumps, 
put  your  hand  upon  it,  feel  how  it  goes  tick-tack.' 

VIDOCQ.  'That  is  nothing.' 

LAPIERRE.  '  Oh  !  we  have  had  a  fright  in  real  earnest ;  I  know 
very  well  that  when  I  saw  the  greens  (the  Parisian  guard,  whose 
uniform  was  green),  my  heart  jumped  bang  into  my  mouth.' 

22 


338  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

DUBUISSON.  *  And  just  above  the  market-place  were  the  dragoons 
of  Paris,  whom  we  met  nose  to  nose  on  horseback  just  by  the 
theatre.' 

VIDOCQ.  *  What  spoonies  you  are  !  you  should  have  had  a  drag 
to  whisk  off  the  swag  in.  You  are  but  greenhorns.' 

RICHELOT.  '  Greenhorns  if  you  like ;  but  we  had  no  means  of 
conveyance,  and  we  have  therefore  chosen  the  back  streets.' 

VIDOCQ.  '  And  where  are  you  going  ?  If  I  can  assist  you  in 
any  way ' 

RICHELOT.  l  If  you  will  pilot  us,  and  give  us  your  company  as 
far  as  the  Rue  Saint-Sebastien,  where  we  are  going  to  deposit  the 
swag,  you  shall  have  your  whack? 

VJDOCQ.  'With  pleasure,  my  boys.' 

RICHELOT.  *  Well,  then,  go  first,  and  spy  if  you  twig  any  coves 
or  beaks.1 

Richelot  and  his  companions  took  up  their  bundles  and  I  went 
forward.  Our  progress  was  fortunate,  and  we  reached  the  door 
of  the  house  without  interruption,  each  of  us  taking  off  our  shoes 
to  make  no  noise  as  we  went  upstairs.  We  reached  the  landing- 
place  on  the  third  story  ;  they  were  awaiting  us.  A  door  opened 
softly,  and  we  entered  a  vast  chamber  dimly  lighted,  of  which  the 
tenant  was  a  shipwright's  man,  who  had  already  been  before  the 
police.  Although  he  did  not  know  me,  my  presence  seemed  to 
trouble  him,  and  whilst  he  was  helping  to  conceal  the  bundles 
under  the  bed,  I  heard  him  ask  a  question  in  a  low  voice,  which 
I  could  guess  by  the  reply,  which  was  spoken  in  a  louder  tone. 

RICHELOT.  *  It  is  Jean  Louis,  a  good  fellow ;  be  quiet,  he  is 
staunch. 

THE  TENANT.  *  That's  all  right ;  there  are  nowadays  so  many 
noses  and  sneaks,  that  we  should  be  fly  to  every  cove? 

LfAPiERRE.  *  Oh,  be  easy !  be  easy !  I  can  answer  for  him  as 
for  myself:  he  is  a  friend  and  a  Frenchman.' 

THE  TENANT.  '  Since  it  is  all  right  I  will  trust  him,  and,  upon 
the  strength  of  it,  we  will  have  a  shove  in  the  month  all  round.' 

He  got  on  a  sort  of  stool,  and  lifting  his  hands  up  to  the  shelf 
of  an  old  cupboard,  he  took  out  a  full  bladder. 

4  Here's  the  stuff,  brandy,  and  nothing  but  some  of  my  own 
prigging.  Come,  Jean,  you  shall  begin.' 

VIDOCQ.  '  With  all  my  heart  (pouring  forth  into  a  green  glass 
and  drinking).  It  is  capital  out  and  out  tipple,  which  cheers  as  it 
goes  down — now  it  is  your  turn,  Lapierre;  come,  sluice  your 
ivories? 

The  glass  and  bladder  passed  from  hand  to  hand,  and  when 
each  had  drunk  enough  we  threw  ourselves  on  the  bed  until  the 


MADAME  BRAS.  339 

morning.  At  daybreak  we  heard  in  the  streets  the  cry  of  the 
sweep. 

RICHELOT  (jogging  his  neighbour).  *  Ah  !  Lapierre,  we  must  go 
to  the  fence.1 

LAPIERRE.  '  Let  me  sleep,  do.' 

RICHELOT.  *  Come,  come,  stir  your  stumps.' 

LAPIERRE.   'Go  by  yourself,  or  take  Lenoir.' 

RICHELOT.  'You  had  better  come,  as  you  have  already  dealt 
with  the  old  woman,  and  can  make  a  surer  bargain.' 

LAPIERRE.   {  Let  me  alone,  I  am  sleepy.' 

VIDOCQ.  '  My  G — ,  what  sluggards  you  are ;  I  will  go  if  you 
will  tell  me  where.' 

RICHELOT.  '  You  are  right,  Jean  Louis,  but  the  fence  has  never 
seen  you,  and  will  not  deal  for  the  swag  but  with  us.  But,  if  you 
like,  we  will  go  together.' 

VIDOCQ.  *  Yes,  we  two,  and  then  another  time  she  will  know 
my  phiz.' 

We  went ;  the  fence  lived  in  Rue  de  Bretagne,  No.  14,  in  the 
house  of  a  sausage-maker,  who  appeared  the  owner  of  it  Richelot 
entered,  and  asked  if  Madame  Bras  was  at  home.  Yes,  was  the 
answer ;  and  after  having  gone  through  the  passage,  we  went  up 
the  stairs  to  the  three  pair.  Madame  Bras  had  not  gone  out,  but, 
actuated  by  a  principle  of  honour,  she  would  not  take  in  any 
property  by  daylight.  '  At  least,'  said  Richelot  to  her,  '  if  you 
cannot  take  the  goods  now,  give  us  earnest ;  come,  it  is  a  good 
haul,  and  you  know  we  deal  all  upon  the  square.' 

'  You  say  very  true  ;  but  I  cannot  allow  myself  to  be  compro- 
mised by  a  pair  of  good  eyes ;  come  in  the  evening,  then  all  cats 
are  grey.'  Richelot  tried  by  every  effort  to  extract  some  coin  from 
her,  but  she  was  inexorable,  and  we  retired  without  having 
obtained  anything.  My  companion  cursed,  swore,  stormed,  till  it 
did  one's  heart  good  to  hear  him. 

'  Well,'  said  I  to  him, '  one  would  imagine  that  you  had  lost 
everything.  Why  vex  yourself?  If  she  will  not,  another  will. 
Come  with  me  to  my  fence,  I  am  sure  she  will  lend  us  four  or  five 
crowns.' 

We  went  to  the  Rue  Neuve-Saint-Frangois,  where  I  had  fixed 
my  domicile.  By  a  low  whistle,  I  made  Annette  understand  that 
I  wanted  her,  and  she  quickly  descended  and  came  to  us  at  the 
corner  of  the  old  Rue  du  Temple. 

*  Good  day,  madame.' 

'  Good  day,  Jean  Louis.' 

*  If  you  are  inclined  to  be  obliging,  lend  me  twenty  francs,  and 
this  evening  you  shall  have  them  again.' 

22—3 


340  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

'Yes,  this  evening!  If  you  gain  anything,  you  will  go  to 
la  Courtille.' 

'  No,  I  assure  you  I  will  be  punctual.' 

'  May  I  believe  you  ?  I  will  not  refuse  you  then  ;  come  with 
me,  whilst  your  friend  waits  for  you  at  the  cabaret  at  the  corner  of 
the  Rue  de  1'Oseille.' 

On  being  alone  with  Annette,  I  gave  her  the  requisite  instruc- 
tions, and  when  I  found  that  she  clearly  understood  them,  I 
rejoined  Richelot  in  the  cabaret.  '  Here,'  said  I  to  him,  showing 
the  twenty  francs,  ' is  what  you  may  call  a  mot,  and  nothing  but  a 
good  one.' 

'Parbleu,  won't  she /<?.$•/  the  blunt  for  the  whole  of  the  swag? 

f  I  think  not.     She  is  only  a  fence  for  metal,  tickers ,  wa&frippery? 

'  It  is  a  pity,  for  she  is  an  out  and  out  mot,  and  just  such  a  one 
as  would  suit  us  well.' 

After  finishing  our  bottle,  we  set  out  to  regain  the  lodging, 
where  we  found  ready  a  Normandy  goose  of  first-rate  quality,  and 
some  other  prog.  I  produced  the  money,  and  as  it  was  intended 
for  farther  supplies  for  the  victualling  office,  our  host  went  out  for  a 
dozen  of  wine  and  some  bread.  We  were  all  so  sharp-set  that  the 
provisions  seemed  only  to  appear  and  then  vanish  instantly.  The 
bladder  of  brandy  was  drained  to  the  last  drop.  Our  meal  termi- 
nated, it  was  proposed  to  open  the  packets.  They  contained 
most  beautiful  linen,  sheets,  shirts  of  extraordinary  fineness,  gowns 
with  superbly- worked  borders,  cravats,  stockings,  etc.,  all  damp  and 
wet.  The  thieves  told  me  that  they  had  taken  the  booty  from  one 
of  the  largest  houses  in  the  Rue  de  1'Echiquier,  where  they  had 
introduced  themselves  by  a  window,  of  which  they  had  broken 
the  bars. 

The  inventory  concluded,  I  proposed  that  we  should  make 
different  lots,  and  not  sell  them  all  in  the  same  place.  I  insinuated 
that  they  would  give  us  as  much  for  each  lot  as  for  the  whole  in  a 
lump,  and  that  two  sales  were  better  than  one.  My  comrades 
were  of  the  same  opinion,  and  made  two  divisions  of  the  booty. 
It  then  became  a  matter  of  question  as  to  how  to  get  rid  of  them. 
They  were  sure  of  the  sale  of  one  lot,  but  wanted  a  purchaser  for 
the  second.  A  clothes-seller,  called  Pomme  Rouge,  in  the  Rue 
de  la  Juiverie,  .was  the  man  whom  I  pointed  out  to  them.  He 
had  long  been  pointed  out  to  me  as  a  regular  fence — goods  taken 
in  and  no  questions  asked.  Here  was  an  opportunity  of  putting 
him  to  the  test,  and  I  was  unwilling  that  it  should  escape,  for  if  he 
were  caught,  the  result  of  my  plans  was  infinitely  more  agreeable  ; 
for,  instead  of  only  QUO,  fence,  I  should  cause  the  arrest  of  two,  and 
thus  I  should  kill  three  birds  with  one  stone. 


SONS  OF  MERCUR  Y.  34 1 

It  was  agreed  that  they  should  make  an  offer  to  my  man,  but 
nothing  could  be  done  till  the  darkey,  and  what  was  to  keep  us 
from  ennui  till  then  ?  What  could  we  converse  about  ?  Amongst 
robbers  the  communion  of  martyrs  had  not  mental  resources 
sufficient  to  keep  up  conversation  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  an 
hour.  What  can  be  done  ?  prigs  do  nothing  unless  at  workt  and 
when  at  work  they  do  nothing.  But  yet  it  was  necessary  to  kill 
time  ;  we  had  still  some  money  before  us,  wine  was  voted  for  by 
acclamation,  and  we  again  commenced  our  libations  to  Bacchus. 
The  sons  of  Mercury  drink  fast  and  long,  but  yet  one  cannot 
always  be  drinking.  If,  indeed,  topers  were  like  the  buckets  of 
the  Danaides,  open  at  one  end  and  with  holes  at  the  other,  disgust 
would  not  proceed  from  plenitude  !  Unfortunately,  each  man  has 
his  capacity,  and  when,  between  the  bladder  and  the  brain,  the 
wave,  whose  place  of  exit  is  too  narrow,  remounts  towards  its 
source,  there  is  no  need  to  say,  my  worthy  friend,  that  if  we  would 
avoid  unpleasant  consequences,  we  must  stop.  This  our  com- 
panions did.  As  they  thought  they  had  need  of  their  head  for 
some  later  period,  and  as  a  thick  cloud  already  began  to  spread 
over  the  osseous  vault  which  covers  the  potent  ruler  of  all  our 
actions,  that  they  might  not  lose  all  guidance,  they  insensibly 
ceased  to  make  a  funnel  of  their  mouths,  and  only  opened  them  to 
talk.  What  was  the  nature  of  their  conversation?  The  talk, 
which  they  would  have  been  much  posed  to  keep  up  on  any  other 
subject,  turned  on  their  comrades  who  were  at  the  Bagne,  or  in 
prison.  They  also  spoke  about  spies. 

'  Talking  of  spies,'  said  the  shipwright,  '  you  must  have  heard  of 
the  celebrated  rogue  who  has  turned  nose,  that  Vidocq ;  do  any  of 
you  fellows  know  him  ?' 

ALL  TOGETHER  (myself  in  chorus).  'Yes,  yes,  but  only  by 
name.' 

DUBUISSON.  '  I  know  they  talk  a  good  deal  about  him.  They 
say  he  comes  from  the  Bagne,  where  he  was  sentenced  for  twenty- 
four  years.' 

THE  SHIPWRIGHT.  'You  are  wrong,  you  flat.  This  Vidocq  is  a/r4r, 
who  was  sentenced  for  life  for  his  many  escapes.  He  was  allowed 
to  be  set  at  liberty  because  he  promised  to  blow  the  gaff>  and  that 
is  the  reason  that  he  stops  at  Paris.  He  is  a  deep  file  ;  when  he 
wants  to  trap  a  covey  he  tries  to  make  friends  with  him,  and,  as 
soon  as  he  has  done  that,  he  slips  some  swag  into  his  cly,  and  then 
all  is  done  ;  or  else  he  leads  him  on  to  some/<?$  that  he  may  be 
caught  at  work.  He  it  was  who  floored  Bailli,  Jacquet,  and 
Martinet.  Oh  G — ,  yes  it  was  he ;  let  me  tell  you  how  he  did 
them,' 


343  MEMOIRS  Of  VIDOCQ, 

ALL  TOGETHER  (myself  in  chorus).  *  Did  them !  well  said,  my 
lad.' 

THE  SHIPWRIGHT.  *  Whilst  drinking  together  with  another 

like  myself,  you  know  him,  the  rip  Riboulet,  Manon's  fancy  man? 

ALL.  '  Manon  la  Blonde's  ?' 

THE  SHIPWRIGHT.  'Yes,  she.  They  were  speaking  of  one 
thing  and  another  ;  Vidocq  says,  as  he  had  just  left  the  Bagne,  he- 
wanted  to  find  some  friends  to  prig.  The  others  are  caught  in  the 
net.  He  tickles  them  so  well,  that  he  leads  them  to  a  spot  of  work 
in  the  Rue  Grand  Zurleur.  It  was  thought  that  he  would  blow  the 
gaff  to  the  police,  and  so  he  did.  They  were  all  taken,  and  in 
the  meantime  the  rascal  escapes  with  his  comrade.  This  is  his 
plan  for  catching  good  fellows.  It  was  he  who  brought  all  the 
chauffeurs  to  be  kissed  by  the  headsman's  daughter  after  having 
been  their  leader.' 

Every  time  the  narrator  paused  we  refreshed  ourselves  with  a 
glass  of  wine.  Lapierre,  profiting  by  one  of  these  pauses,  spoke 
thus: 

'  What,  is  it  that  cock-and-bull  story  ?  He  talks  like  a  magpie. 
He  is  chaffing  us.  Do  you  think  such  gammon  amuses  us  ?  I  like 
to  amuse  myself/ 

THE  SHIPWRIGHT.  '  What  the  deuce  will  you  do,  then  ?  If  we 
had  any  books  (cards),  we  might  handle  them  a  bit.' 

LAPIERRE.  '  I'll  tell  you  what  we  will  do,  act  a  play.' 

THE  SHIPWRIGHT.  *  Go  it,  then,  M.  Tarma  (Talma).1 

LAPIERRE.  'Do  you  think  I  can  play  by  myself?' 

RICHELOT.    '  We  will  help  you,  but  what  shall  be  the  piece  ?' 

DUBUISSON.  '  The  play  of  Csesar ;  you  know  there  is  one  of 
that  name,  who  says,  the  first  who  was  king  had  a  happy  lot.' 

LAPIERRE.  '  Oh,  none  of  that  blarney;  let  us  play  the  piece  of 
Vidocq  caught,  after  having  sold  his  brethren  like  Joseph.' 

I  scarcely  knew  what  to  make  of  this  singular  business  ;  how- 
ever, without  being  at  all  disconcerted,  I  cried  out  suddenly.  '  I 
will  play  Vidocq ;  they  say  he  is  a  stout  chap,  and  it  will  suit  me.' 

'You're  stout,'  said  Lenoir,  '  but  he  is  much  stouter.' 

*  That  is  no  matter,'  observed  Lapierre,  '  Jean  Louis  is  not  a  bad- 
representation,  he  weighs  his  weight.' 

'Come,  then,  we  don't  want  so  much  jaw  about  it,'  said 
Richelot,  lifting  a  table  into  one  corner  of  the  room.  '  You  Jean 
Louis,  and  you  Lapierre  stand  there  :  Lenoir,  Dubuisson,  and*. 
Etienne  (the  shipwright),  go  to  the  other  end  :  they  shall  be  the; 
friends,  and  I  will  seat  myself  on  the  bed  and  be  the  people.' 

'  What  people  ?'  inquired  Etienne. 

*  Why,  the  audience  if  you  like.     The  shipwright  is  a  booby.1 


A  COMEDY.  343 

'  I  am  a  spectator  too.' 

*  No,  you  stupid  ass,  I  am.     You  are  a  friend ;  take  your  place, 
the  play  is  going  to  begin.' 

We  imagine  ourselves  in  a  public-house  at  la  Courtille ;  each 
talks.  I  get  up,  and,  under  a  pretext  of  asking  for  some  tobacco, 
enter  into  conversation  with  the  friends  at  the  other  table ;  I  speak 
a  little  slarg,  they  find  me  a  downy  cove>  and  give  me  a  knowing 
look,  which  I  return,  and  it  is  found  we  are  all  lads  of  the  same 
profession.  They  follow  the  customary  usages  of  society, —  a  glass 
more  than  necessary.  I  complain  of  being  without  a  job  of  work. 
They  complain,  and  we  all  complain  together.  We  commence  to 
be  very  full  of  mutual  compassion  and  sympathy ;  I  curse  the 
beaks,  they  curse  them  too  ;  I  swear  at  the  big  wigs  of  my  quarter 
who  persecute  me ;  my  friends  look  at  each  other,  consult  each 
other's  eyes,  and  deliberate  upon  the  opportunity  offered  by,  or 
the  disadvantages  of,  my  acquaintance.  They  take  my  hand, 
they  press  it,  I  consent ;  it  is  agreed  that  they  may  rely  on  me. 
Then  comes  the  proposal — the  character  I  play  is  that  which,  with 
but  few  variations,  I  always  have  played — I  only  alter  a  little,  by 
putting  the  stolen  goods  into  the  pockets  of  my  friends.  Then 
was  heard  the  unanimous  applause,  accompanied  by  shouts  of 
laughter.  *  Well  done,  well  done,'  cried  the  actors  and  the  witness 
of  this  scene. 

*  Well  done,  certainly,'  said  Richelot,  '  but  see,  the  sun  is  setting 
and  it  is  time  to  tramp  ;  the  play  can  finish  in  the  drag^  or  else- 
where, when  we  have  done  with  the  fence ;  I  will  go  and  get  a 
jarvey,  if  you  fellows  like  ?' 

*  Yes,  yes,  let  us  be  off.' 

The  drama  was  progressing  well ;  we  were  approaching  the 
climax,  but  it  was  doomed  to  be  a  very  different  one  from  that 
anticipated  by  these  gentlemen,  for  the  catastrophe  was  not  in 
accordance  with  the  title  of  the  piece.  We  all  got  into  a  hackney- 
coach,  and  desired  the  coachman  to  stop  at  the  corner  of  the  Rue 
de  Bretagne  and  the  Rue  de  Tourraine.  Bras,  one  of  the  fences^ 
was  waiting  at  a  short  distance.  Dubuisson,  Commery,  and  Lenoir 
alighted,  taking  with  them  the  portion  of  the  merchandise  which 
we  had  agreed  to  sell.  Whilst  they  were  agreeing  about  the  price, 
I  saw,  on  looking  from  the  window,  that  Annette  had  fulfilled  my 
intention.  Persons  whom  I  saw,  some  with  their  noses  in  the  air, 
as  if  seeking  for  some  number,  others  walking  about  like  idlers, 
were  nol  in  this  quarter,  I  thought,  without  some  motive. 

After  ten  minutes  of  expectation,  we  were  rejoined  by  our  com- 
rades who  had  been  to  Bras.  They  had  brought  away  one  hundred 
and  twenty-five  francs  for  things  worth  at  least  six  times  as  much; 


344  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOC& 

but  it  was  of  no  consequence,  they  were  not  sorry  to  realize  what 
they  were  in  haste  to  enjoy. 

There  remained  those  bundles  which  we  had  reserved  for 
Pomme  Rouge.  On  reaching  Rue  de  la  Juiverie,  Richelot  said 
to  me,  '  Come,  you  must  go  and  bargain,  you  know  the  downy 
fence' 

'  That  will  not  do,'  I  replied ;  *  I  owe  him  money,  and  we  have 
had  a  row  about  it.' 

I  owed  Pomme  Rouge  nothing,  but  we  had  seen  each  other, 
and  he  knew  that  I  was  Vidocq.  It  would,  therefore,  have  been 
imprudent  to  show  myself,  and  I  left  my  friends  to  arrange  these 
matters,  and  on  their  return,  as  the  appearance  of  Annette  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  shop  gave  me  the  certainty  that  the  police  were  on 
the  qui  vive,  I  proposed  to  discharge  the  coach  and  go  and  sup 
in  the  cabaret  of  the  Grand  Casuel,  on  the  Quai  Pelletier,  at  the 
comer  of  the  Rue  Planche  Mibray. 

After  the  visit  to  Pomme  Rouge  we  were  richer  by  eighty  francs, 
and  the  sum  at  our  disposal  was  so  considerable,  that  we  might 
give  way  to  some  excess  without  fear  of  distressing  ourselves,  but 
we  had  no  time  to  expend  it,  for  scarcely  had  we  got  our  glasses 
in  hand  when  the  guard  entered,  followed  by  a  posse  of  inspectors. 
At  the  sight  of  the  veterans  and  the  spies  all  their  countenances 
fell,  and  the  general  feeling  was,  '  We  are  caught.'  Thibault,  the 
peace-officer,  asked  us  for  our  papers  ;  some  had  none,  and  others 
were  not  correct,  mine  were  amongst  these  latter.  '  For  the  charge 
of  all  these  sparks,'  said  the  peace-officer,  'safe  bind,  safe  find.' 
We  were  tied  two  and  two,  and  conducted  to  the  commissary. 
Lapierre  was  coupled  with  me.  '  Have  you  good  legs  ?'  I  said  to 
him  in  a  low  tone.  *  Yes,'  was  his  reply,  and  when  we  reached 
the  top  of  the  Rue  de  la  Tannerie,  taking  out  a  knife  I  had  con- 
cealed up  my  sleeve,  I  cut  the  cord.  '  Courage,  Lapierre,  courage !' 
I  cried.  With  a  blow  of  my  elbow  I  prostrated  the  veteran  who 
had  taken  me  by  the  arm  ;  darted  away,  and  with  a  few  leaps 
reached  a  small  alley  leading  to  the  Seine.  Lapierre  followed  me, 
and  we  reached  the  Quai  des  Ormes  together. 

They  lost  all  traces  of  us,  and  I  was  very  glad  to  have  escaped 
without  being  recognised.  Lapierre  was  equally  rejoiced,  for  not 
having  had  any  time  for  reflection,  he  was  far  from  suspecting  any 
sinister  motives  in  me ;  but,  in  fact,  if  I  favoured  his  escape,  it 
was  in  the  hope  of  introducing  myself,  under  his  auspices,  into 
some  other  band  of  thieves.  By  fleeing  with  him  I  removed  all 
suspicions  that  himself  or  his  companions  might  have  conceived, 
and  kept  up  the  good  opinion  which  they  had  of  me.  In  this  way 
I  hoped  to  make  new  discoveries,  for  as  I  was  a  secret  agent  I 
was  as  desirous  of  acting  as  quietly  as  possible, 


ACCUSING  STOCKINGS.  345 

Lapierre  was  free,  but  I  kept  him  in  sight,  and  was  ready  to  give 
him  up  the  moment  he  was  no  longer  useful  to  me. 

We  continued  running  towards  the  hospital,  where  at  length  we 
stopped,  and  entered  a  cabaret  to  recover  breath  and  rest  our- 
selves. I  ordered  a  measure  of  wine  to  refresh  us.  '  Here,  lad,' 
said  I  to  Lapierre,  'here  is  a  comforter.' 

'  Oh  yes,  it  is  hard  work.' 

'  And  difficult  to  keep  up,  is  it  not  ?' 

*  Nothing  can  drive  the  idea  from  my  mind .' 

<  What  ?' 

*  Here,  let  us  drink.' 

And  no  sooner  had  he  emptied  his  glass  than  he  becam  more 
pensive.  *  No,  no,'  he  repeated,  '  nothing  can  drive  the  idea  from 
my  mind ' 

'  What  do  you  mean  ?  tell  me.' 

'  Well,  then,  I  will  tell  you.' 

1  You  are  right :  but  first  you  will  do  well  to  take  off  the  stockings 
you  have  on  your  feet,  and  the  cravat  about  your  neck.' 

As  it  seemed  to  me  that  I  perceived  in  the  eyes  of  my  friend 
that  dark  scowl  of  mistrust  which,  if  one  does  not  take  care,  in 
creases  so  rapidly,  I  was  glad  to  testify  one  of  those  marks  of 
interest,  the  effect  of  which  is  to  reassure  a  suspicious  mind  : 
such  was  my  aim  in  advising  him  to  remove  from  his  attire  some 
articles  of  small  value,  which,  during  the  overhauling  of  the  booty, 
his  associates  and  himself  had  immediately  applied  to  their  own  use. 

'  What  shall  I  do  with  them  ?'  said  Lapierre. 

'Throw  them  into  the  river.' 

*  I'll  not  be  such  a  fool !  the  silk  stockings  are  quite  new,  and  the 
cravat  has  never  been  hemmed.' 

'Silly  nonsense.' 

*  You  want  to  laugh  at  me,  my  boy ;  throw  away  your  own  first.' 
I  begged  him  to  observe  that  I  had  nothing  on  that  could  com- 
promise me.     '  You  are  like  the  hares,'  I  added,  '  you  lose  your 
memory  as  you  run  ;  do  you  not  remember  that  there  was  no  cravat 
for  me,  and  with  trousers  like  these  '  (touching  those  I  wore)  'would 
you  have  me  wear  women's  stockings  ?' 

He  took  off  the  stockings,  which,  folded  up,  he  enveloped  in  the 
cravat. 

Thieves  are  at  the  same  time  misers  and  spendthrifts  :  he  felt 
the  necessity  of  removing  these  convicting  articles  out  of  sight,  but 
his  heart  bled  at  the  thought  of  not  making  a  profit  by  them.  It 
is  because  the  produce  of  robbery  is  often  so  dearly  paid  for,  that 
the  sacrifice  of  it  is  always  painful. 

Lapierre  was  most  anxious  to  sell  his  stockings  and  cravat,  and 


346  MEMOIRS  OF  VWOCQ. 

we  went  together  to  the  Rue  de  la  Boucherie  to  offer  them  to  a 
shopkeeper,  who  gave  us  forty-five  sous  fox  them.  Lapierre  ap- 
peared to  have  made  up  his  determination  since  the  catastrophe  of 
Grand  Casuel  ;  yet  he  was  constrained  in  his  manners,  and  if  I  am 
any  judge  of  what  was  passing  in  his  mind,  in  spite  of  my  efforts  to 
re-establish  myself  in  his  opinion  I  was  strongly  suspected.  Such 
feelings  were  not  very  favourable  to  my  projects,  and  persuaded  that 
henceforward  I  must  not  temporize,  but  bring  matters  to  a  speedy 
termination,  I  said  to  Lapierre,  '  If  you  like  we  will  go  and  sup  at 
Place  Maubert.' 

'  I  will,  if  you  please,'  was  the  reply. 

I  took  him  to  the  Deux  Freres,  where  I  called  for  wine,  pork- 
chops,  and  cheese.  At  eleven  o'clock  we  were  still  at  table, 
everybody  had  retired,  and  they  brought  us  in  a  bill  which 
came  to  four  francs  fifteen  centimes.  I  immediately  cried  out, 
'  My  five-franc  piece,  my  five-franc  piece !  where  can  it  be  ?'  I 
rummaged  all  my  pockets  and  searched  myself  from  head  to 
feet.  '  My  God  !  I  must  have  lost  it  in  running  !  Look,  Lapierre, 
if  you  have  it !' 

'  No,  I  have  only  my  forty-five  sous,  and  not  a  dump  besides.' 

'  Look  for  it.  I  am  going  to  try  and  arrange  with  the  people.* 
I  offered  the  cabaretier  two  francs  fifty  centimes,  promising  to 
bring  him  the  remainder  on  the  morrow  ;  but  he  would  not  listen 
to  me.  '  Ah  !  you  think,'  said  he,  *  that  you  may  come  and  have  all 
you  want  here,  and  then  pay  me  with  monkey's  allowance.' 

4  But/  I  observed  to  him,  *  it  is  an  accident  which  might  happen 
to  the  most  honest  man.' 

'  That's  all  my  eye !  When  one  is  low  in  cash  we  are  trickish  or  so; 
a  cup  of  wine,  or  so,  one  would  not  mind,  but  it  is  no  go  to  have  a 
whole  supper  on  tick? 

'  Oh,  never  mind,  old  lad ;  if  it  accommodates  good  fellows, 
never  mind.' 

*  Come,  come,  not  so  much  jaw  ;  pay  me,  or  I'll  fetch  the  guard.' 
'  The    guard !    that    for    the    guard   and  you,    too  !'    accom- 
panying the  words  with  a  gesture  of  contempt   much   used  by 
common  people. 

*  Ah,   you    vagabond  !    is  it  not  enough  to  carry  off  my  pro- 
perty ?'  cried  he,   doubling  his  fist  and  thrusting  it  in  my  face. 
'  Do  not  strike  me,'  I  replied  to  his  apostrophe,  'do  not  strike 
me,  or ' 

He  advanced  towards  me,  and  I  instantly  hit  him  a  blow.  A 
quarrel  and  uproar  followed,  which  Lapierre  thinking  would  come 
to  serious  consequences,  judged  it  best  to  mizzle  ;  but  on  the  very 
moment  when  he  was  about  to  make  off  and  leave  me  to  extricate 


'CANDLES  OF  MAUBEUGE!  347 

myself  as  best  I  might,  the  waiter  seized  him  by  the  throat  and 
•cried  out,  '  Thieves  !' 

The  guard-house  was  nigh,  the  soldiers  came  in,  and  for  the 
•second  time  in  that  day  we  were  placed  between  two  ranges  of 
"•those  candles  of  Maubeuge  whose  wicks  have  a  smell  of  gunpowder. 
.My  comrade  endeavoured  to  prove  to  the  corporal  that  he  was 
'•not  in  fault,  but  the  veteran  was  immovable,  and  we  were  shut 
vi  p  in  the  guard-house.  Lapierre  became  silent  and  sad  as  a 
brother  of  La  Trappe ;  he  did  not  even  unclose  his  teeth.  At 
length,  about  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  commissary  went  his 
round,  and  a^ked  to  see  the  persons  in  confinement.  Lapierre 
first  appeared,  and  was  told  he  might  go  if  he  would  pay  the  bill. 
I  was  called  in  my  turn,  and  on  entering  the  room,  recognised 
M.  Legoix.  The  recognition  was  mutual,  and  in  two  words  I  ex- 
plained to  him  what  I  had  done ;  I  told  him  the  place  where  the 
stockings  and  cravat  had  been  sold,  and  whilst  he  hastened  to 
seize  on  these  articles,  which  were  requisite  to  convict  Lapierre,  I 
returned  to  him.  He  was  no  longer  silent. 

'  The  bandage  has  fallen,'  said  he  ;  *  I  see  what  is  done ;  it  was 
all  a  plot' 

'  What  !  you  are  laughing  at  me,  but  I  will  speak  frankly.  Yes, 
it  is  done,  and  it  is  a  plot,  but  it  was  you  who  got  us  into  the  trap.' 

'  No,  my  friend,  it  was  not  me ;  I  do  not  know  who,  but  I  sus- 
pect you  more  than  anyone  else.' 

At  these  words  I  grew  angry,  he  furious  :  to  threats  succeeded 
blows,  and  we  proceeded  to  fight  until  we  were  separated.  As  soon 
as  we  were  parted  I  found  my  five-franc  piece ;  and  as  the  caba- 
retier  had  not  reckoned  the  thump  I  gave  him,  it  was  enough  for 
me  not  only  to  satisfy  all  his  demands,  but  also  to  offer  to  the  corps 
de  garde,  I  will  not  say  the  stirrup-cup,  but  that  small  drop  of  fare- 
well token  which  the  snob  always  pays  willingly.  This  tribute  paid, 
there  were  no  farther  reasons  for  my  detention,  and  I  started  off 
without  paying  my  adieu  to  Lapierre,  who  was  now  known  ;  and 
the  next  day  I  learned  that  the  most  complete  success  had  crowned 
my  efforts.  The  two  fences,  Bras  and  Pomme  Rouge,  had  been 
surprised  in  the  midst  of  ample  proofs  of  the  nefarious  traffic  which 
they  carried  on ;  the  robbers  had  been  apprehended  with  the  pro- 
perty which  they  had  instantly  applied  to  their  use,  and  they  were 
•compelled  to  confess  ;  Lapierre  alone  had  tried  denial  of  the  facts, 
"but  confronted  with  the  shopkeeper  of  Rue  de  la  Bucherie,  he  was 
-decidedly  and  positively  recognised — the  stockings  and  cravat  were 
his  accusers.  The  whole  gang,  robbers  and  receivers,  were  sent  to 
La  Force,  in  the  expectation  of  judgment;  there  they  soon  leaint 
that  the  comrade  who  had  played  the  part  of '  Vidocq  caught,'  was, 


348  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

in  fact,  '  Vidocq  the  catcher.'  Great  was  their  surprise ;  how  they 
must  have  commended  the  admirable  talents  of  the  comedian  ! 
The  sentence  confirmed,  all  were  ordered  to  the  Bagne.  The 
evening  before  their  departure  I  was  present  when  they  were  fettered, 
and,  on  seeing  me,  they  could  not  forbear  smiling. 

'  Behold  your  work,  you  villain,'  said  Lapierre;  'you  are  content, 
no  doubt.' 

1 1  have,  at  least,  no  reproach  to  make  against  myself ;  I  did  not 
advise  you  to  steal.  Did  you  not  make  up  to  me  ?  Why  be  so 
confiding  ?  When  a  man  exercises  a  profession  like  yours,  he  ought 
to  be  more  on  his  guard.' 

*  It  is  all  well,'  said  Commery  ;  '  you  are  sure  to  be  at  the  galleys 
again  yourself.' 

1  In  the  meantime  a  good  journey  to  yourself.  Keep  my  place 
for  me,  and  if  ever  you  return  to  Pantin '  (Paris),  '  do  not  play  at 
such  dangerous  games  again.' 

After  this  reply  they  conversed  together,  and  Richelot  said, 
'  Well,  well !  I  owe  him  a  turn.' 

*  As  for  you,'  replied  the  shipwright,  '  you  brought  him  amongst 
us.      Since  you  knew  him,  you  ought  to  have  known  that  he 
was  a  nose.9 

1  Ah,  yes !  it  was  Richelot  who  brought  it  upon  us,'  sighed  Pomme 
Rouge,  who  was  being  fettered,  and  nearly  had  his  head  broken  by 
the  hammer  which  was  riveting  his  collar. 

'  Do  not  move,'  said  the  smith  loughly. — *  It  was  he,  it  was  he,' 
replied  the  fence,  '  who  floored  us,  and  but  for  him ' 

'Stand  steady,  you  fool,  and  mind  your  eye.'1  These  were  the 
last  words  I  heard,  but  as  I  went  away  I  saw,  by  certain  gestures, 
that  the  colloquy  grew  warmer.  What  are  they  saying  ?  I  know 
not 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

Saint  Cloud — The  aspiring  spy— The  foubourg  Saint  Marceau — The  turkey's 
claws — Explanation  of  the  word  Traiffe — The  man  who  arrests  himself — 
The  new  Epictetus — The  mistress  of  a  Russian  prince — Mother  Bariole — 
The  invulnerable — The  picture  of  the  Sabines — The  lottery  ticket — Penelope 
— The  beautiful  mask — Louison  la  Blagucuse — Emilie  in  the  guard-house — 
Return  to  Bariole's — The  Sybil's  tripod — Josephine  Real — Three  arrests — 
The  traitor  punished. 

IN  1812,  a  professed  thief,  named  Hotot,  who  had  long  sought  to 
be  reinstated  as  a  secret  agent,  in  which  employment  he  had  been 
engaged  previously  to  my  admission  into  the  police,  came  to  offer 
his  services  to  me  for  the  fete  of  St.  Cloud.  It  is  known  as  one 
of  the  most  celebrated  of  the  environs  of  Paris,  and  that,  led  by 


HOTOT  349 

the  concourse  of  persons,  pickpockets  assemble  there  in  large 
bodies.  It  was  on  Friday  that  Hotot  was  brought  to  me  by  a 
comrade.  This  step  appeared  to  me  the  more  extraordinary,  as  I 
had  previously  given  information  against  him  which  had  led  to  his 
being  brought  before  the  court  of  assizes.  Perhaps  he  only 
desired  to  connect  himself  with  me  that  he  might  the  more  readily 
play  me  some  ill  turn  :  such  was  my  first  thought,  but  I  received 
him  kindly,  and  even  testified  my  satisfaction  that  he  had  not 
doubted  my  wish  to  be  of  service  to  him.  I  evinced  so  much 
apparent  sincerity  in  my  proffers  of  good-will  towards  him,  that  it 
was  impossible  for  him  to  conceal  his  intentions  from  my  pene- 
tration. A  sudden  change,  which  overspread  his  whole  face,  con- 
vinced me  instantly,  that,  in  accepting  his  offer,  I  was  favouring 
some  plans  which  he  was  not  willing  to  confide  to  me.  I  saw  his 
internal  congratulations  at  having  duped  me.  But,  be  that  as  it 
might,  I  feigned  to  have  the  utmost  confidence  in  him,  and  it  was 
agreed  that,  on  the  following  Sunday,  he  should  go,  at  two  o'clock, 
and  post  himself  near  the  principal  basin,  that  he  might  point  out 
the  thieves  of  his  acquaintance,  who,  he  told  me,  would  come  to 
work  at  that  spot 

On  the  day  appointed,  I  went  to  Saint  Cloud  with  the  only  two 
agents  I  then  had  under  my  command.  On  arriving  at  the 
destined  place,  I  looked  out  for  Hotot ;  I  walked  backwards  and 
forward,  looked  about  me  on  all  sides,  but  no  Hotot.  At  length, 
after  waiting  for  an  hour  and  a  half,  my  patience  being  worn 
nearly  threadbare,  I  despatched  one  of  my  staff  to  the  principal 
walk,  desiring  him  to  endeavour  to  find  an  auxiliary  whose  want 
of  punctuality  was  as  suspicious  as  his  zeal. 

My  agent  searched  for  an  entire  hour,  when,  wearied  with  ex- 
ploring every  hole  and  corner  of  the  garden  and  park,  he  returned 
and  told  me  that  he  could  not  find  Hotot.  The  moment  after- 
wards I  saw  my  man  himself  running  towards  me  bathed  in 
perspiration.  '  You  do  not  know,'  said  he  to  us,  *  that  I  had  just 
got  hold  of  six  prigs,  but  they  saw  you  and  instantly  mizzled.  I 
am  sorry,  for  they  swallowed  the  bait,  but  what  is  deferred  is  not 
lost,  and  I  shall  have  them  yet.' 

I  pretended  to  take  all  this  for  gospel,  and  Hotot  was  convinced 
that  I  had  not  any  doubt  of  his  veracity.  We  spent  the  greater 
portion  of  the  day  together,  and  only  separated  about  twilight.  I 
then  went  to  the  gendarmes'  station,  where  the  peace-officers  told 
me  that  many  watches  had  been  stolen  in  a  direction  precisely 
opposite  to  that  in  which,  by  the  advice  of  Hotot,  our  watch  was 
kept.  It  was  then  plain  to  me  that  he  had  attracted  us  to  one 
point,  that  he  might  the  more  easily  work  in  another.  Jt  is  an 


350  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

old  stratagem  in  the  tactics  of  diversion  and  false  information 
given  by  thieves,  that  they  may  have  less  fear  of  the  police. 

Hotot,  whom  I  took  good  care  not  to  reproach  in  any  way, 
imagined  that  he  had  completely  gulled  me :  but  if  I  said  nothing, 
I  did  not  think  the  less,  and  increasing  my  show  of  friendship 
towards  him,  whilst  he  was  meditating  a  renewal  of  his  Saint- 
Cloud  trickery,  I  was  on  the  alert  to  catch  him  tripping  at  the 
first  opportunity.  Our  friendship  being  still  very  close,  the  oppor- 
tunity presented  itself  earlier  than  I  had  even  dared  to  hope. 

One  morning  I  suddenly  determined  to  make  a  visit  to  Hotot. 
We  were  near  where  he  resided.  I  proposed  to  my  comrade  of 
the  watch  to  accompany  me ;  and,  on  his  assenting,  we  went  to 
Hotot's,  where,  on  knocking,  he  opened  the  door  and  appeared 
surprised  to  see  us ;  *  what  a  wonder  at  this  early  hour.' 

*  Are  you  astonished  ?'  said  I ;  '  we  come  to  have  a  glass  with 
you.' 

*  Oh  !  you  are  welcome  ;'  and  then  jumping  into  bed,  *  where  is 
the  liquor  ?' 

'  GarTre  will  be  so  kind  as  to  fetch  it.' 

I  put  my  hand  into  my  pocket,  and  as  Gaffre',  as  a  Jew,  was  less 
careful  of  his  trouble  than  his  money,  he  willingly  undertook  the 
commission,  and  went  out  for  that  purpose.  During  his  absence 
I  remarked  that  Hotot  had  the  air  of  a  man  who  has  gone  to  bed 
later  than  usual ;  the  room  was,  besides,  in  a  very  extraordinary 
state  of  disorder.  His  clothes,  rather  torn  than  taken  off,  seemed 
to  have  had  a  heavy  soaking ;  and  his  shoes  were  covered  with 
white  clay,  which  was  still  wet.  Not  to  have  concluded  from  all 
these  indications  that  Hotot  had  but  recently  returned,  would  not 
have  been  Vidocq.  For  the  moment  I  thought  nothing  more  of 
it,  but  my  fancy  soon  wandered  into  the  wide  field  of  conjecture, 
and  I  conceived  suspicions  which  I  took  care  not  to  evince  ;  I 
would  not  even  appear  curious,  that  is  to  say  indiscreet,  and,  for 
fear  of  disquieting  my  worthy  friend,  I  did  not  ask  him  a  single 
question.  We  spoke  of  the  rain  and  the  fine  weather,  but  more 
of  the  fine  weather  than  the  rain,  and  when  we  had  nothing  left 
to  drink,  we  went  away. 

Once  out  of  the  house,  I  communicated  to  Gaffre'  the  remarks; 
I  had  made ;  '  I  am  much  deceived,'  I  added,  '  or  he  has  been 
abroad  all  night ;  there  has  been  something  in  the  wind.' 

'  I  think  so  too,  for  his  clothes  are  still  wet,  and  his  shoes  covered 
with  mud !  He  has  not  been  walking  in  the  dust.' 

Hotot  hardly  thought  we  were  talking  of  him,  but  yet  his  ears 
must  have  tingled.  '  Where  has  he  been  ?  What  has  he  done  ?* 
we  inquired  of  each  other ;  '  perhaps  he  has  joined  some  gang.* 


THE  TURKEYS  CLAWS.  351 

Gaflr£  was  no  less  puzzled  than  myself,  and  we  were  compelled  to 
think  that  Hotot  might  be  honest  after  all. 

At  twelve  o'clock,  we  went  to  make  our  report  of  the  trans- 
actions of  the  night ;  our  account  was  not  very  interesting;  *  nothing 
has  occurred,'  was  the  whole  contents.  '  Ah  !'  said  M.  Henry  to 
us,  '  the  people  in  the  Faubourg  Saint  Marceau  are  all  honest ;  I 
had  much  better  have  sent  you  to  the  Boulevard  Saint  Martin  ;  it 
appears  that  the  lead-robbers  have  renewed  their  work ;  they 
carried  more  than  four  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  from  a  house 
newly  built.  The  watchman,  who  pursued  without  catching  them, 
says  they  were  four  in  number.  The  robbery  was  effected  during 
the  heavy  shower  of  last  night' 

*  During  the  heavy  shower  !  parbleu  !'  I  cried,  '  you  know  one 
of  the  robbers.' 

'  Who  is  he  ?' 
'  Hotot.' 

*  He  who  served  the  police,  and  who  asked  leave  to  enter  it  ?' 

*  The  same.' 

I  told  M.  Henry  my  suspicions  and  remarks,  and  as  he  was 
convinced  that  I  was  correct,  I  went  out  instantly,  that  I  might 
with  all  possible  speed  convert  what  was  at  present  but  presump- 
tive evidence  into  proof  positive.  The  commissary  of  the 
quarter  in  which  the  robbery  had  been  effected,  went  with  me  to 
the  spot,  and  we  found  in  one  place  on  the  ground  the  deep  im- 
print of  two  nailed  shoes,  and  the  earth  had  been  indented  by  the 
weight  of  a  man.  These  traces  could  afford  precise  indications  ; 
and  precautions  were  taken  that  they  should  not  be  effaced.  I 
felt  perfectly  assured  that  they  were  exactly  fitted  to  Hotot's 
shoes,  and  taking  GarTre'  with  me  to  him,  that  I  might  verify  my 
suspicions  without  alarming  the  culprit,  I  devised  the  plan,  which 
was  thus  executed.  On  getting  to  Hotot's  residence,  we  made  a 
tremendous  noise  at  the  door. 

4  Get  up,  get  up,  we  have  brought  the  poultry.'  He  arose, 
turned  the  key,  and  we  stumbled  into  the  room  like  men  some- 
what stupid  with  liquor. 

'  Hallo  !'  said  Hotot,  '  allow  me  to  pay  my  respects  to  you. 
You  have  been  warming  the  oven  early  this  morning.' 

'  Yes ;  and  we  have  come  to  you,'  I  replied,  *  to  finish  the 
baking.  You  are  very  cunning,'  I  added,  showing  him  in  its 
covering  a  purchase  which  we  made  as  we  came  along,  'guess 
what  we  have  in  here.' 

'  How  can  I  guess.'     Then,  tearing  the  corner  of  the  paper, 
exposed  the  claws  of  a  bird. 

*  Ah  !  sacre  dieq  !'  he  cried,  '  it  is  a  turkey,' 


352  MEMOIRS  OF  VWOCQ. 

'  Yes,  a  brother  of  yours ;  and,  as  you  see,  it  is  by  its  feet  that 
we  know  this  sort  of  animal :  do  you  understand  me  now  ?' 
4  What  does  he  say?' 
'  I  say  it  is  roasted.' 
'  Oh  !  it  should  be  baked  with  venison  fat.' 

*  Venison  fat !  here,  look  at  it.' 

I  handed  the  bird  to  him,  and  whilst  he  examined  and  turned 
it  over  and  over,  Gaffre  stooped  down,  picked  up  his  shoes,  and 
put  them  in  his  hat. 

4  Well,  and  what  did  you  give  for  this  bit  of  hollow  ? 

'  Seven  bob,  a  kick,  and  eight  mag.' 

'  The  d !  Seven  shillings  and  tenpence.  About  the  price 

of  a  pair  of  shoes.' 

'  Exactly  so,  my  boy,'  said  the  pilferer,  rubbing  his  hands. 

*  Here  is  plenty  to  bite  at ;  and  how  well  it  smells,  quite  de- 
liciously,  it  is  perfectly  tempting  !   We  will  soon  settle  his  business.' 

*  Who  carves  ?     I  cannot.' 

'  Well,  then,  we  will  help  you  ;  is  there  a  knife  in  the  box  ?' 

*  Yes,  look  in  the  drawer.' 

I  found  a  knife,  and  then  sought  an  excuse  to  send  Gaffre'  out. 
'  Oh,  by  the  way,'  said  I,  whilst  I  laid  the  cloth,  *  you  can  oblige 
me  by  going  to  my  house,  and  saying,  that  they  need  not  wait 
dinner  for  me.' 

'  Very  well,  and  then  you  will  be  off  without  me  ;  that  is  no  go; 
I  shall  not  cut  my  stick  until  I  have  had  some  grubbery.1 
•  '  But  we  cannot  eat  without  drinking.' 

*  Well,  then,  I  will  have  the  liquor  produced.' 

He  opened  the  window,  and  called  to  a  vintner.  '  And  now,' 
he  added,  'you  cannot  play  me  any  trick.' 

Gaffre  was  like  the  majority  of  police-agents,  and,  except  being 
treacherous,  a  good-enough  fellow ;  but  a  perfect  gourmand. 
With  him  the  belly  superseded  all  other  business ;  and  thus,  al- 
though he  had  Obtained  possession  of  the  shoes,  which  was  the 
main  point  in  the  affair,  I  saw  I  could  not  induce  him  to  leave  the 
place  until  he  had  his  share  of  eatables.  I  hastened,  therefore,  to 
cut  up  the  bird,  and  when  the  wine  arrived,  *  Come  to  the  table,' 
I  cried  to  my  gastronomist,  *  make  haste,  and  cram  your  fill.' 

Hotot's  bed  was  his  table,  and  without  any  forks  but  those  of 
father  Adam,  we  made  to  the  god  who  is  within  us,  that  is  the  god 
of  Ventrus,  a  sacrifice  in  the  manner  of  the  ancients.  We  ate  like 
ogres,  and  the  repast  was  quickly  terminated.  *  Now,'  said  Gaffre, 
'  I  can  toddle.  I  know  not  if  you  are  like  me,  but  when  the  sun 
shines  in  my  stomach,  I  am  good  for  nothing ;  when  the  chest  is 
full  it  is  a  different  matter,' 


AN  ASPIRING  SP  Y.  353 

'Well,  then,  mizzle? 

He  took  his  hat,  and  disappeared. 

*  Now  he  is  gone,'  said  Hotot,  with  the  tone  of  a  man  who  is 
not  sorry  to  be  left  alone  with  another  for  some  time.     '  Well,  my 
friend  Jules,  is  there  never  to  be  a  vacancy  for  Hotot  ?' 

1  Patience,  patience,  all  will  come  in  good  time.' 

'  It  is  only  for  you  to  say  a  good  word  for  me,  and  M.  Henry 
would  listen,  if  you  would ' 

'  It  must  not  be  to-day,  then,  for  I  expect  a  good  rowing ; 
Gaffre'  will  not  escape,  frflr  we  have  not  sent  in  our  report  these 
two  days.' 

This  lie  was  not  without  its  purpose ;  it  was  not  necessary  that 
Hotot  should  think  I  had  been  informed  of  the  robbery  in  which 
I  believed  him  a  participator ;  he  was  without  mistrust,  and  I  kept 
him  in  that  security ;  and,  for  fear  he  should  think  of  getting  up, 
I  led  the  conversation  to  those  points  which  most  interested  him. 
He  spoke  to  me  successively  of  many  affairs.  '  Ah !'  he  said, 
sighing,  *  if  I  were  certain  of  entering  the  police  again,  with  a  pay 
of  twelve  or  fifteen  bob  a  day,  I  could  give  such  information !  I 
know  now  of  a  burglary,  which  would  be  a  welcome  disclosure  to 
M.  Henry.' 

'  Do  you  ?' 

1  Yes,  three  robbers,  Berchier  called  Bicetre,  Caffin,  and  Linois, 
whom  I  will  give  up  to  him  in  the  actual  fact,  as  sure  as  you  and 
I  make  two.' 

'  If  you  can,  why  don't  you  ?  That  would  be  an  excellent  be- 
ginning.' 

'  I  know  it,  but ' 

*  Are  you  afraid  to  make  yourself  seem  visible  in  the  business  ? 
If  you  perform  services,  I  will  do  my  best  to  insure  your  admis- 
sion.' 

c  Ah,  my  friend,  you  pour  balm  into  my  mind ;  you  will  procure 
my  admission.' 

'Oh,  that  will  be  easily  affected.' 

1  Come  then,  a  bumper  to  luck,'  cried  Hotot,  transported  with 
joy. 

1  Yes,  let  us  drink  to  your  approaching  reception/ 

'  And  the  sooner  the  better.' 

Hotot  was  enchanted,  and  already  laid  down  a  line  of  conduct : 
he  had  his  dreams  of  happiness,  and  there  was  in  his  very  legs 
those  inquietudes  of  hopes  which  are  produced  by  the  prospect  of 
coming  pleasure.  I  was  afraid  lest  he  should  quit  his  bed,  when 
at  length  some  person  knocked  at  the  door ;  it  was  Gaffre,  holding 
in  his  hand  a  small  bottle  of  brandy,  which  Annette  had  given  to 

23 


354  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

him.  •  Traiffej  said  my  Israelitish  colleague  as  he  entered,  in  that 
Hebrew  slang,  which  was  doubtless  the  favourite  language  of  our 
patron,  Monsieur  Judas.  As  I  pique  myself  on  being  a  Hebraist 
of  the  first  order,  I  instantly  comprehended  him,  and  saw  how  to 
play  my  cards.  Whilst  I  was  pouring  out  for  the  neophyte  the 
nectar  of  a  policeman,  Gaffre  replaced  the  shoes.  We  continued 
to  chat  and  drink,  and  before  we  parted,  I  learnt  that  the  plunder 
of  the  lead  was  that  of  which  Hotot  proposed  to  point  out  the 
perpetrators.  The  Father  Bellemont,  a  blacksmith  of  the  Rue  de 
la  Tannerie,  was  the  fence  whom  he  mentioned  to  me. 

As  these  details  were  interesting,  I  told  Hotot  that  I  should  in- 
stantly communicate  them  to  M.  Henry,  and  recommended  him 
to  find  out  the  place  where  the  three  thieves  slept.  He  promised 
to  point  out  the  house,  and  when  we  had  agreed  upon  prelimi- 
naries, we  separated.  GarTr£  had  not  left  me.  '  Well !'  said  he, 
'  it  is  he ;  the  shoes  fit  precisely,  and  the  impression  is  very  deep. 
In  leaping  from  the  window  he  must  have  fallen  with  all  his 
weight.'  This  was  the  signification  of  the  word  traiffe  ;  and  now 
I  had  only  to  take  measures  accordingly.  I  had  already  explained 
Hotot's  conduct  to  myself,  and  I  readily  conceived  the  part  he 
wished  to  play.  In  the  first  place,  it  was  clear  that  he  committed 
the  robbery  with  the  intention  of  making  his  profit  by  it,  but  he 
was  chasing  two  hares  at  once ;  by  pointing  out  his  accomplices  he 
attained  his  second  object,  that  of  making  himself  of  consequence 
in  the  eyes  of  the  police,  that  he  might  thereby  be  re-established 
in  their  employ.  I  trembled  to  think  of  the  consequences  of  such 
a  combination.  Wretch,  said  I  to  myself,  I  will  contrive  that  he 
may  have  the  recompense  of  his  crime,  and  if  the  unhappy  crea- 
tures who  have  aided  him  in  his  expedition  are  convicted,  it  is  but 
just  that  he  should  be  a  partaker  of  their  sentence.  I  did  not 
hesitate  to  believe  him  the  most  guilty  of  the  whole,  and  from 
what  I  knew  of  his  character,  it  seemed  most  probable  to  me  that 
he  had  led  them  on  to  it,  only  to  contrive  a  job  ;  I  even  went  so 
far  as  to  think  that  it  was  possible  that  he  alone  had  committed 
the  robbery,  but  thought  it  advisable  to  accuse  of  his  own  crime 
those  individuals  whose  misconduct  made  them  suspected  charac- 
ters. In  each  of  these  suppositions,  Hotot  was  a  great  rogue,  and 
I  determined  to  rid  society  of  him. 

I  knew  that  he  had  two  mistresses,  one  Emilie  Simonet,  who 
had  several  children  by  him,  and  with  whom  he  lived  as  a  husband; 
the  other  F£licit£  Renaud,  a  common  girl,  who  doated  upon  him. 
I  thought  I  could  contrive  to  attain  my  ends  by  setting  these  rivals 
at  loggerheads,  and  by  their  mutual  jealousy  light  the  flambeau 
that  was  to  show  him  to  justice,  Hotot  was  watched,  and  in  the 


AN  ASPIRING  SP  Y.  355 

afternoon  I  learned  that  he  was  in  the  Champs  Elys<£es  with 
F£licitd  I  went  to  him  there,  and  taking  him  aside,  told  him  that 
I  required  him  on  an  affair  of  extreme  importance. 

'You  must  know,'  I  said,  'you  are  to  be  apprehended  and 
taken  to  prison,  where  you  must  pump  a  cove  that  we  shall  nab 
this  evening.  As  you  will  be  in  quod  before  him,  he  will  not  take 
you  for  a  sneak,  and  when  he  is  brought  in  you  can  easily /to/ 
yourself  upon  him.' 

Hotot  accepted  the  proposition  with  joy.  '  Ah  !'  he  exclaimed, 
'  I  am  then  a  spy  once  more  !  You  may  rely  on  me,  but  I  must 
first  take  leave  of  FeliciteV  He  went  towards  her,  and  as  the  hour 
of  nocturnal  seductions,  or  padding  the  pave  for  the  amorously  dis- 
posed, was  nigh,  she  was  not  angry  with  him  for  leaving  her  so 
soon. 

'  Now  you  have  got  rid  of  the  mot,  I  will  give  you  instructions. 
You  know  the  little  ken  on  the  Boulevard  Montmartre  in  front  of 
the  Theatre  des  Vari&e's  ?' 

'Yes,  Brunei's.' 

'  Well,  go  there  and  seat  yourself  at  the  farther  end  of  the  room 
with  a  bottle  of  beer,  and  when  you  see  two  of  the  inspectors  of 
the  officer  of  peace,  Mercier,  enter — you  know  them  ?' 

'  Know  them  !  do  you  ask  me  such  a  question,  who  am  an  old 
trooper  ?' 

'  Well,  as  you  know  them  it  will  be  all  right :  when  they  come 
in,  make  them  a  sign  that  it  is  you,  that  they  may  not  mistake  you 
for  any  other  person.' 

'You  be  easy,  they  will  not  mistake  me.' 

'  You  know  it  will  be  disagreeable  if  they  should  lay  hands  on 
some  unlucky  citizen.' 

'  Oh !  there  shall  be  no  mistake,  I  shall  be  there,  and  then  the 
signal  agreed  on.  The  signal  will  do  all.' 

'  You  understand  clearly  ?* 

'  Yes,  do  you  take  me  for  a  fool  ?  I  will  not  give  them  the 
trouble  to  take  a  second  glance.' 

'  All  right,  they  shall  have  the  countersign,  and  as  soon  as  they 
perceive  you,  they  will  know  what  they  are  to  do  :  they  will  arrest 
and  convey  you  to  the  station  of  Lycee,  where  you  will  stay  two 
or  three  hours,  and  then  the  youth  you  are  topump,  having  already 
seen  you  there,  will  not  be  surprised  to  meet  you  again  at  the 
depot.' 

'  Give  yourself  no  uneasiness  ;  I  will  do  the  trick  so  well,  that  I 
will  defy  the  most  downy  cove  to  discover  that  I  am  not  situated 
exactly  like  himself.  Besides,  you  will  see  how  cleverly  I  do  my 
work,  to  the  very  letter,' 

23—3 


3$6  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

He  seemed  so  hearty  in  the  business,  that  I  was  really  sorry  at 
being  compelled  to  deceive  him  thus,  but,  reflecting  on  his  con- 
duct towards  his  comrades,  the  feeling  of  pity  which  I  had  mo- 
mentarily experienced  was  dissipated,  never  to  return.  He  gave 
me  his  hand,  and  we  parted ;  he  walked  with  all  the  velocity  of 
eager  satisfaction ;  the  earth  seemed  scarcely  to  bear  him.  On 
my  part,  no  less  swift  than  he,  I  flew  to  the  prefecture,  where  I 
found  the  inspectors  I  had  mentioned  to  him :  one  of  them  was 
named  Cochois,  now  a  watchman  at  Bicetre ;  I  told  them  what 
they  were  to  do,  and  followed  them.  They  entered  the  house. 

Scarcely  had  they  crossed  the  threshold,  when  Hotot,  faithful 
to  the  orders  I  had  given  him,  pointed  to  himself  with  his  finger, 
like  a  man  who  says,  '  It  is  me.'  At  this  signal  the  inspectors 
went  up  to  him,  and  asked  for  his  letters  of  protection.  Hotot,  as 
proud  as  Artabanes,  answered  that  he  had  none.  '  Then  you  must 
come  with  us/  was  the  immediate  rejoinder,  and  to  prevent  him 
from  running  away,  if.  he  should  be  so  inclined,  they  secured  his 
hands  with  cords.  During  this  operation,  a  sort  of  internal  con- 
tent overspread  the  face  of  Hotot :  he  was  happy  to  find  himself 
caught :  he  blessed  his  bonds  :  he  contemplated  them  almost  with 
love,  for,  as  he  believed,  all  this  preparation  was  but  a  ceremonious 
form ;  and,  in  fact,  like  some  philosopher  of  antiquity,  he  could 
boast  of  being  free  in  his  chains  :  and  he  said  in  a  low  voice  to  the 
inspectors,  '  Devil  fetch  me  if  I  run !  The  mauleys  and  trotters 
are  tied  :  you  could  not  do  more  to  secure  a  regular  workman.1 

It  was  about  eight  in  the  evening  when  Hotot  was  brought  to  the 
guard-house :  at  eleven  o'clock  they  had  not  brought  in  the  person 
from  whom  he  was  to  abstract  confession,  and  the  delay  began  to 
appear  extraordinary  to  him.  Perhaps  the  individual  might  have 
escaped  the  pursuit  of  justice,  or,  perhaps,  he  had  already  con- 
fessed. In  that  case  the  aid  of  a  sneak  was  useless  ;  I  know  not 
what  conjectures  the  prisoner  formed,  I  only  know  that  at  length, 
tired  with  waiting,  and  thinking  they  had  forgotten  him,  he  asked 
the  sergeant  of  the  guard  to  inform  the  commissary  of  police  that 
he  was  still  there.  '  If  he  be  there,  let  him  remain  there,'  said  the 
commissary,  *  it  is  no  business  of  mine.'  This  answer  transmitted 
to  Hotot  awakened  no  other  idea  than  that  of  a  negligence  on  the 
part  of  the  inspectors.  *  If  I  had  my  supper  now,'  he  added,  with 
the  comico-serio  accent  of  that  lachrymose  gaiety  which  is  less 
touching  than  laughable; — '  they  are  making  sport  of  me,  perhaps 
they  are  stuffing  away  in  some  comfortable  corner,  whilst  I  am 
supping  here  with  Duke  Humphrey'  Twice  or  thrice  he  called, 
sometimes  the  corporal,  sometimes  the  sergeant,  to  relate  his  griefs 
to  them  ;  he  did  not  even  leave  the  officer  of  the  guard  alone,  but 


AN  ASPIRING  SPY.  357 

supplicated  him  to  allow  of  his  being  set  at  liberty.  *  I  will  return, 
if  necessary,'  he  added;  'what  do  you  risk,  since  I  was  only  grabbed 
for  a  particular  purpose  ?' 

Unfortunately  the  officer,  who  told  us  all  these  particulars  next 
day,  was  one  of  those  incredulous  personages  whose  obstinacy  is 
not  to  be  shaken.  Hotot  was  only  tormented  by  his  appetite ; 
now,  with  persons  who  think  there  is  such  a  thing  as  remorse,  this 
might  have  been  construed  into  presumptive  innocence,  but  with 
those  who  trust  only  to  lock  and  key — fatality  had  included,  this 
officer  in  the  number  ;  and,  besides,  not  having  any  power  to  act 
for  himself,  however  desirous  of  so  doing,  he  drew  the  bolt  upon 
Hotot,  who,  unable  to  obtain  anything  from  the  inspectors,  made 
his  moan  in  the  following  broken  and  uninterrupted  soliloquy,  which, 
heard  through  the  door,  excited  mirth,  by  his  alternations  of  gro- 
tesque resignation  and  impatience. 

'  Oh  !  I  say,  though,  it  is  coming  it  a  little  too  strong  to  keep 
me  here  all  night  ! — impossible — they  are  coming — no  ;  no  more 
an  inspector  than  I  am  a  king — what  the  deuce  keeps  the  brutes  ? 
— If  I  were  behind  them  I  would  apply  a  quickener — if  it  is  not 
their  fault,  to  be  sure,  nothing  can  be  said. — They  certainly  planted 
me  for  the  purpose — yet,  why  don't  they  bring  in  the  cove — per- 
haps he  has  done  them. — If  he  be  not  caught  in  the  fact  they  can 
do  nothing  with  him. — There  is  no  fun  in  all  this,  though,  to  me, 
who  have  not  tasted  food  since  I  arose. — Come,  gentlemen,  as 
soon  as  you  please,  at  your  earliest  convenience — I  am  quite  ready 
— but  we  can't  always  have  our  own  way. — What  a  devil  of  an 
unlucky  go  for  me  ! — It  plays  the  deuce  with  my  stomach  ;  I  want 
to  eat,  and  have  nothing. — How  my  belly  cries  cupboard. — This  is 
a  nice  new  year's  present,  I  must  confess.— Do  they  want  to  try 
my  appetite  ? — A  very  excellent  method,  certainly — fasting  is  good 
for  young  people. — Never  mind,  never  mind,  it  will  not  kill  me 
this  time,  and  I  shall  breakfast  all  the  better  in  the  morning. — I 
will  wager  they  are  guzzling  away  at  some  cabaret,  the  brutes  ! — If 
I  were  near  them — this  is  a  good  joke,  certainly,  an  admirable 
farce. — In  the  name  of  all  the  devils  in  h — ,  and  the  saints  in  the 
calendar ! — Well,  why  put  yourself  out,  my  boy  ? — Hunger  makes 
the  wolf  leave  the  woods — get  out,  get  out  yourself,  boy,  it  is  easy 
enough — if  I  had  but  my  turkey  of  this  morning — if  my  friend  Jules 
were  here — he  does  not  know,  ah  !  if  he  knew !' 

Hotot  said,  as  the  people  say,  '  if  the  king  knew  ^  but  whilst 
he  was  deploring  my  ignorance,  and  so  very  far  from  foreseeing 
the  consequences  of  an  arrest,  which  he  supposed  pretended,  I, 
exploring  the  little  streets  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  Place  du 
Chatelet,  had  joined  Emilie  Simonet,  in  one  of  those  low  haunts 


358  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

where,  to  suit  light  purses,  a  landlady  keeps  liquor  and  lasses,  both 
tending  to  the  same  end  and  serving  for  the  same  purposes.  Here 
the  liquors  are  like  the  secret  entrance  of  the  lottery- office,  a  means 
of  deceiving  the  spy :  the  shamefaced  lover  enters,  under  the  pretext 
of  taking  a  glass  of  wine,  and  is  doubly  poisoned.  It  is  to  this 
sort  of  blind  coffee-shop  that  the  refuse  of  prostitutes  crowd,  and 
heap  their  favours  on  the  beastly  drunkard,  or  make  terms  with  the 
poverty  of  their  customer.  More  than  one  ci-devant  beauty  now 
reduced  to  her  calico  petticoat,  her  coarse  apron,  and  wooden  shoes, 
—unless  she  prefer  philosophes  (shoes  of  fifteen,  twenty,  or  twenty- 
five  pence),  here  boasts  of  the  tradition,  almost  forgotten,  though 
recent,  of  those  charms  which  procured  for  her  the  cashmere 
and  splendid  veil  which  she  displayed  in  the  cavalcades  of  Mont- 
morency,  or  else  in  the  elegant  tilbury  which  conveyed  her  to 
Bagatelle.  I  have  seen  many  of  these  vicissitudes,  and  to  give  one 
of  the  million  examples,  there  was  a  friend  of  Emilie,  named  Caro- 
line, who  had  been  the  mistress  of  a  Russian  prince.  In  her  days 
of  splendour,  a  hundred  thousand  crowns  a-year  did  not  pay  the 
expenses  of  her  establishment ;  she  had  equipages,  horses,  lackeys, 
courtiers ;  she  had  been  very  handsome,  but  her  beauty  had  en- 
tirely faded.  She  was  Emilie's  companion,  and  even  more 
degraded  than  her.  Constantly  muddled  by  liquor,  she  never  had 
a  lucid  interval.  The  lady  of  the  house,  who  provided  her  attire, 
for  Caroline  had  no  longer  a  rag  of  her  own,  watched  her  as  closely 
as  a  cat  does  a  mouse,  lest  she  should  sell  her  clothes.  A  hun- 
dred times  she  had  been  found  at  some  low  hole  of  vice,  naked  as 
a  worm  \  she  had  drank  away  every  article  of  dress,  even  to  her 
chemise.  Such  is  the  sad  condition  of  these  wretched  creatures, 
almost  all  of  whom  have  had,  at  one  time  of  their  lives,  a  run  of 
good  luck  :  after  having  the  means  of  literally  rolling  in  money, 
they  feel  the  want  of  a  crust  to  stop  the  cravings  of  hunger,  and 
those  palates  on  which  the  delicacies  of  Tortoni  palled,  find  a  relish 
in  the  potatoes  of  La  Greve.  It  is  in  this  catalogue  of  courtesans 
that  are  to  be  found  those  damsels  who  form  the  delight  of  the 
paviors,  messengers,  and  water-bearers ;  kept  by  the  libertines  of 
this  laborious  class,  whose  liberalities  form  their  main  chance,  they, 
in  their  turns,  when  not  smitten  by  some  fencing-master  or  street- 
singer,  support  the  thieves,  or,  at  least,  if  they  are  in  good  keeping, 
by  way  of  return,  they  comfort  them  during  their  dungeon  woes, 
and  in  the  dead  season  of  the  year. 

The  comrade  of  the  Princess  Caroline,  Emilie  Simonet,  or 
Madame  Hotot,  was  one  of  this  stamp :  hers  was  a  kind  heart 
perverted ;  I  met  her  at  Mother  Bariole's.  Mother  Bariole,  a  good 
woman,  if  ever  there  was  one,  and  as  honest  as  it  was  possible  in 


MOTHER  BARIOLE.  359 

her  profession,  had  a  sort  of  consideration  amongst  the  debauched 
beings  who  infest  these  places  in  double  capacities ;  these  revolting 
porticoes  of  a  sanctuary,  where,  braving  all  disgust,  lust  and  misery 
caress  each  other  by  turns.  For  nearly  half  a  century  her  establish- 
ment was  the  providence  and  last  refuge  of  those  daughters  of  Lais, 
whom  the  consequence  of  their  fall  from  virtue,  and  time,  so  swift 
in  his  outrages,  have  cast  headlong  under  the  same  control  as  the 
stream  and  the  bank  :  it  is  the  old  seraglio,  where  no  one  must 
penetrate  who  desires  to  rejoice  his  mind  by  delightful  images : 
here  is  no  enchantress  !  The  Armida  of  the  Chaussee  d'Antin  is 
but  a  hideous  trull,  who,  alternating  between  a  prison  and  a  hospital, 
exhausts,  in  her  own  person,  the  vicissitudes  of  a  career — whose 
last  hope  must  be  to  die  on  a  dunghill.  In  this  asylum,  the  luxury 
of  the  Rue  Vivienne  is  superseded  by  the  trumpery  of  the  temple  : 
and  she  who,  during  the  ephemeral  triumph  of  her  attractions 
scarcely  budded,  disdained  the  first  fruits  of  the  fashion,  finds  still 
wherewithal  to  deck  herself  in  that  faded  finery,  which,  falling 
lower  and  lower,  has  at  length  reached  the  wardrobe  of  Mother 
Bariole.  Thus  we  see  a  broken-down  prag  of  the  hackney  drag 
assume,  with  pride,  the  harness  which  humiliated  him  in  the  days 
when  his  well  fed  carcass  formed  the  glory  of  a  splendid  equipage. 
If  the  comparison  fails  in  nobleness  of  idea,  it  is  just  in  fact. 

It  would  be  a  curious  history,  and  profitable  to  morality,  to  have 
the  narrative  of  some  of  Mother  Bariole's  nymphs  :  it  might  be  to 
the  purpose  to  add  to  it  the  biography  of  this  venerable  matron, 
who,  placed  for  fifty  years  in  the  very  centre  of  blows  from  fists, 
kicks  from  feet,  thrusts  from  swords,  etc.,  has  passed  through  the 
whole  period  without  a  single  scratch;  the  friend  of  the  police,  the 
friend  of  the  thieves,  the  friend  of  the  soldiery,  in  fact,  everybody's 
friend,  she  has  preserved  herself  invulnerable  in  the  midst  of 
storms  innumerable,  and  of  the  thousand  and  one  battles  of  which 
she  has  been  spectatress.  Sabine  or  Roman  when  the  combat 
commenced,  woe  to  him  who  touched  a  hair  of  the  mothers  head  ! 
Her  counter  was  like  the  holy  arch,  it  was  the  neutral  territory 
which  even  the  flying  bottles  respected.  This  is,  indeed,  being 
loved  !  not  one  of  the  Sabines  who  would  not  have  shed  her  blood 
for  her.  It  was  a  glorious  sight  to  see  her  in  the  morning,  as  they 
were  all  thronging  round  her  to  tell  their  dreams  about  the  lottery; 
and  at  the  approach  of  quarter-day,  when  the  savings  destined  to 
pay  the  rent  were  insufficient,  because  the  money-box  had  been 
broken  open,  the  poor  girls  would  work  themselves  ill  to  make  up 
the  deficit!  What  misery  if  the  abbess,  to  satisfy  her  landlord,  was 
compelled  to  spout  her  silver  mugs  !  In  what  could  she  then  warm 
the  little  sugared  wine  which  she  <^-ank  with  her  Swiss,  or  her 


360  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

gossip,  when,  chatting  together,  and  deploring  the  hardship  of  the 
times,  nose  to  nose,  and  with  elbows  on  the  table,  they  soothed 
their  sorrows  with  a  cup  of  comfort  ?  Their  dear  Mother  Bariole, 
how  often  she  sent  to  the  Monte-de-Piete  for  the  militia  of  good 
conduct,  to  regale  them  with  oysters  and  white  wine  !  How  gene- 
rous the  inspectors  found  her,  and  how  compassionate  the  thieves ! 
The  confidence  of  the  latter  she  never  betrayed.  With  what  in- 
terest did  she  listen  to  the  wailings  of  those  who  were  out  of  work, 
and,  sending  a  sprat  to  catch  a  herring,  if  she  augured  well  of  the 
fortune  of  any  one  of  them,  under  the  guise  of  friendship  she 
handed  over  the  cup  of  consolation ;  nay,  even  the  creature  on 
tick)  if  the  unemployed  cracksman  was  likely  soon  to  be  flush. 
1  Work,  my  children,'  she  said  to  the  labourers  of  all  classes,  '  to  be 
welcome  to  me  you  must  always  be  doing*  She  did  not  advise 
the  soldiery  in  the  same  way,  but  gained  their  affections  by  atten- 
tions that  were  endless ;  she  cursed  the  police  with  them,  and  to 
perfect  their  pleasure,  in  case  of  a  disturbance,  she  never  sent  for 
the  guard  until  the  last  extremity.  She  detested  colonels,  captains, 
adjutants,  sub-lieutenants,  in  fact,  all  epaulettes  ;  but  then  she 
doated  on  worsted  lace,  and  nothing  could  equal  her  affection  for 
subalterns  in  general,  and  particularly  those  who  were  well-looking ; 
she  was  a  mother  to  them  all.  *  Ah,  my  darling !'  I  have  heard 
her  often  say,  '  when  you  return  with  the  sergeant  you  will  be  a 
major/ 

*  Yes,  Mother  Barole,  and  between  the  hours  of  parade  the  house 
shall  be  merry.' 

Madame  Bariole  is  still  alive,  but  since  I  am  not  now  called  on 
to  visit  her,  I  know  not  if  her  establishment  be  supported  on  the 
same  system.  At  the  time  I  knew  her  she  had  all  the  love  for  me 
which  a  spy  could  ever  have  expected  from  her.  She  was  delighted 
when  I  asked  for  Emilie  Simonet,  who  was  her  favourite.  Mother 
Bariole  thought  I  was  about  to  throw  the  handkerchief  in  her 
harem. 

*  You  cannot  ask  me  for  anyone  whom  I  would  more  readily 
give  to  you.' 

*  Is  she,  then,  your  favourite  ?' 

1  What  do  you  mean?  I  like  women  who  take  care  of  their 
children :  if  she  had  put  them  out  of  the  way,  I  would  never  have 
looked  at  her  again.  Those  poor  little  things  did  not  ask  to  be 
born ;  why  should  not  Christians  have  as  much  natural  affection  as 
animals  ?  Her  last  is  my  godchild — the  very  image  of  Hotot,  the 
very  spit  of  him.  I  wish  you  could  see  her,  she  grows  like  a  mush- 
room ;  she  will  be  no  fool ;  there  will  be  no  occasion  to  teach  her 
anything ;  she  will  know  everything.' 


MOTHER  BARIOLE.  361 

'  She  is  forward,  indeed.' 

'  Yes,  and  pretty  ;  a  little  love  !  let  her  only  be  until  she  is  as 
old  as  a  fifteen-sous  piece,  and  I  know  she  will  bring  her  mother 
in  as  much  money  as  she  can  carry.  With  a  daughter  one  always 
has  a  resource.' 

'  Certainly/ 

'  Yes,  yes,  the  good  God  will  bless  her,  Emilie  ;  and  then  she 
has  not,  for  a  long  time,  had  any  mishap  with  the  men.' 

'  Does  the  good  God  meddle  with  these  things  ?' 

'Ah,  certainly;  you  chaps  are  unbelievers,  you  believe  in 
nothing.' 

'  You  have  some  religion,  then,  Mother  Bariole  ?* 

'  I  hope  I  have ;  I  do  not  like  priests,  but  that  is  all  the  same. 
It  is  not  eight  days  since  I  had  a  nine  days'  devotion  made  at 
Saint  Genevieve  for  a  safe  passage  of  some  liquor  from  Brussels, 
and  the  butt  arrived  safe  and  sound.' 

*  And  the  end  of  the  wax  candle,  have  you  burnt  that  ? 

*  Hold  your  tongue,  you  heathen.' 

*I  will  lay  a  bet  that  you  have  some  Easter  cake  at  your  bed  head.' 

*  A  little,  my  boy ;  people  should  not  live  like  brutes.' 
Bariole,  who  did  not  like  to  be  thwarted  about  her  creed,  began 

to  call  to  Emilie. 

'  Come,  make  haste,'  she  cried ;  '  wait,  my  son,  I  am  going  to 
see  if  she  has  finished.' 

'  That's  right,  for  I  am  in  a  hurry.'  Emilie  soon  appeared  with 
a  corporal  of  artillery,  who,  without  looking  behind  him,  im- 
mediately took  leave  of  her. 

*  Since  he  did  not  ask  for  his  dram,'  observed  Bariole,  '  we  will 
put  it  back  into  the  bottle.' 

*  I  will  drink  it,'  said  Emilie. 

*  No,  no,  Lisette.' 

'  You  joke,  it  is  paid  for'  (drinking). 

'  Ah,  there  are  flies  in  it.' 

'That  will  make  your  heart  gay,'  I  cried. 

'  So  it  will,  well  said.  Is  it  you,  Jules  ?  what  are  you  doing  in 
this  quarter?' 

'  I  heard  you  were  here,  and  said  I  to  myself,  I  must  see  Hotot's 
wife,  I  will  have  a  drop  with  her.' 

'  Agathe,'  called  Bariole,  '  bring  a  pint ;'  and  Agathe,  according 
to  custom,  pretending  to  go  down  into  the  cellar,  went  out  by  the 
back  door  to  the  vintner's,  whence  she  brought  a  flask,  of  which 
she  reserved  three  parts,  and  by  baptizing  the  rest,  obtained  the 
quantity  required. 

'  This  is  not  adulterated,'  said  Emilie  to  me,  whilst  I  poured  it 


362  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

out  into  her  glass ;  *  see,  it  makes  bubbles  on  the  top,  which  is  a 
good  sign ;  I  will  drink  again.' 

I  pleased  her  much  by  giving  her  plenty  of  drink,  but  that  was 
only  the  first  step  towards  gaming  her  confidence ;  and  wishing  to 
reach,  insensibly,  to  the  catalogue  of  her  complaints  against  Hotot, 
I  managed  so  skilfully,  that  the  change  of  conversation  did  not 
give  her  any  suspicion.  I  first  began  by  deploring  my  own  lot,  and 
these  girls,  when  lamentations  are  made  which  have  any  relation 
to  their  own,  are  never  slow  in  joining  chorus.  I  have  seen  many 
of  them,  before  the  second  pint  has  been  emptied,  burst  into  tears 
and  weep  like  Magdalenes ;  at  the  third,  I  became  their  best  friend; 
then  there  was  no  further  restraint,  all  that  was  heaviest  upon  their 
hearts  came  forth  with  a  sudden  explosion ;  it  was  that  moment 
of  overflowing  confidence,  when  the  exordium  is  always,  '  The 
world  is  full  of  trouble,  and  every  one  has  his  own. '  Emilie, 
who  had,  during  the  day,  tolerably  well  washed  down  her  griefs, 
was  not  slow  in  commencing  her  tale  of  woe  on  the  subject  of 
her  rival  and  Hotot's  infidelities. 

'Is  he  such  a  rover,  your  Hotot?  Fellows  like  him  do  not 
deserve  to  have  wives.  To  leave  such  a  woman  as  you  for 

a  Fe'licite' !  between  ourselves,  that  Felicite'  is  a  -» ;  if  I  had 

to  make  a  choice,  I  give  you  my  word  that  I  would  give  you 
the  preference.' 

*  Come,  Jules,  you  are  buttering  me  down.      You  are  trying 
it  on!   I  know  well  enough  that  Fe"licite*  is  the  better  looking;  but 
if  I  am  not  so  swell^  I  have  my  heart  in  the  right  place.     You 
saw  it  when  I  used  to  take  the  scran  to  Lorcefe  (La  Force) ;  that 
is  the  time  to  judge  if  one  is  true  or  not* 

'  That  is  true  j  you  took  every  care  of  him,  I  was  witness  to 
that.' 

*  Now,  Jules,  have  I  not  done  all  a  woman  could  do  for  him  ? 
The  blackguard,  one  can  scarcely  keep  one's  temper !     I  did  it  to 
the  injury  of  my  trade.     I  am  sure  that  no  one  could  say  a  word 
against  me ;  a  married  wife  "and  all  could  not  have  done  more.' 

*  What  is  it  you  say  ?  she  would  not  have  done  so  much.' 

*  To  be  sure  not,  but  it  is  not  only  that,  he  knows  how  disposed 
I  am  to  have  children — whilst  he  had  been  fifteen  months  in  quod, 
did  I  have  a  young  one  without  him  ?     Is  not  that  virtue  ?  and 
now  he  would  deprive  me  altogether.     My  shoe  knows  what  I 
have  undergone,  and  would  tell  long  tales  if  it  could  speak  ;  did 
it  not  have  those  ten-sous  pieces  which  passed  under  the  very  nose 
of  Bariole  ?    He  ought  to  remember  them  j  but  cut  off  the  rope 
from  a  rogue's  neck  and .' 

'  You  are  right  It  was  not  Felicite',  then,  who  gave  them  to 
him?' 


HOTOTS  WIFE.  363 

'  Felicite* !  she  would  sooner  have  eaten  him.  But  it  is  always 
those  that  they  love  best '  (she  sighed  and  drank,  sighed  and  drank, 
sighed  and  drank  again).  '  Since  we  two  are  together,  tell  me 
have  you  seen  them  together  lately  ?  tell  me  the  truth,  and  on  the 
word  of  Emilie  Simonet,  which  is  my  real  name,  may  every  drop 
which  has  entered,  and  shall  enter  my  lips,  turn  to  poison,  may  I 
die  on  the  spot,  or  may  I  be  nabbed  when  easing  the  next  cull  I 
make  a  plant  upon,  if  I  open  my  mouth  to  him  about  it* 

*  Why  should  I  tell  you  ?  you  women  are  all  blabs.' 

*On  my  word  and  honour'  (assuming  a  solemn  air  and  tone), 
*  by  the  ashes  of  my  father,  who  is  as  dead  as  you  are  alive ' 

This  Homeric  form  of  speech  is  no  longer  in  use,  except 
amongst  the  priestesses  of  Venus-Cloacina.  Whence  it  came  to 
them  I  know  not.  Had  some  washerwoman's  daughter  sworn  by 
the  ashes  of  her  mother — but  '  by  the  ashes  of  my  father  !'  The 
words  are  even  more  formidable  than  the  prophetic  nebulae  which 
alarmed  Fontenelle  :  they  comprise  an  entire  monography.  In  the 
mouth  of  a  woman  who  would  seem  to  be  honest,  they  are  always 
a  bad  augury,  whatever  be  her  appearance  or  real  situation  ;  with- 
out running  the  risk  of  deceiving  her,  one  can  say,  *  I  know  you, 
beautiful  mask/  This  oath,  considering  the  quality  of  the  persons 
who  use  it,  has  always  appeared  to  me  so  burlesque,  that  it  has 
never  been  uttered  in  my  presence  without  exciting  in  me  an  irre- 
sistible impulse  to  laugh. 

*  Laugh  away,  laugh  away,1  said  Emilie  to  me,  '  it  is  laughable 
enough,  is  it  not  ?    Come,  now,  be  quiet :  it  is  true,  there  is  no 
pleasure  with  him,  he  believes  nothing.     May  I  be  the  greatest 
wretch  under  the  canopy  of  heaven  ;  by  all  that  I  hold  dearest  in 
life  ;  by  the  life  of  my  child,  which  is  an  oath  I  never  make  ;  may 
all  the  miseries  of  life  befall  me  if  I  speak  of  you  to  him.'    At  the 
same  time  pulling  forward  the  thumb  of  her  right  hand,  the  nail 
of  which,  scraping  against  her  upper  teeth,  escaped  with  a  slight 
noise— she  added,  crossing  herself  as  she  spoke,  '  Now,  Jules,  it  is 
sacred :  now  it  is  all  as  right  as  if  a  notary  had  signed  articles  be- 
tween us.' 

During  this  conversation  our  pint  measure  had  been  frequently 
filled,  and  the  more  the  Penelope  of  Hotot  drank,  the  more  pres- 
sing 'she  became,  and  the  more  solemnly  pledged  herself  to  silence. 

*  Indeed,  my  boy  Jules,  you  should  tell  me,  when  I  promise  you 
that  he  shall  know  nothing  of  it.' 

'  Ah  !  you  are  such  a  good  wench  that  I  can  keep  nothing  from 
you  :  but  I  forewarn  you,  do  not  nose,  if  so,  take  care  of  yourself. 
I  would  not  be  the  death  of  you,  but  Hotot  is  my  friend,  you 
know.' 


364  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ, 

There  is  no  danger,  and  when  anyone  tells  me  a  thing  (point- 
ing to  her  breast)  it  is  there — it  is  death.' 

'Well,  then,  I  went  this  evening  to  the  Champs  Elyse'es,  and 
there  saw  your  man  with  Felicite' ;  they  were  quarrelling  at  first ; 
she  declared  that  he  had  you  in  his  room  in  the  Rue  Saint  Pierre 
aux  Boeufs.  He  swore  that  he  had  not,  and  that  he  no  longer 
kept  up  any  connection  with  you.  You  know  that  when  she  was 
by  I  could  not  do  otherwise  than  say  as  he  did.  They  made  it 
up,  and  afterwards,  from  some  words  they  let  fall,  I  think  he  passed 
the  night  before  last  with  Felicite'  at  the  Place  du  Palais  Royal.' 

*Oh,  then,  you're  wrong,  for  he  was  with  his  friends.' 

*  With  Caffin,  Bicetre,  and  Linois  ;  Hotot  told  me  that.' 

*  What,  did  he  tell  you  ?     He  forbade  my  speaking  of  it :  that 
is  just  like  him,  and  then  afterwards,  if  any  accident  should  happen 
to  him,  he  would  fan  me  well.' 

'  Oh,  don't  be  alarmed  ;  I  am  not  the  man  to  bring  a  friend  into 
a  scrape.  If  I  am  a  spy,  I  have  my  feelings  about  me  still !' 

*  I  know,  my  dear  Jules,  that  you  were  compelled  to  enter  the 
police,  or  else  return  to  the  Bagne.' 

*  It  is  all  the  same,  police  or  not,  I  am  all  right  still ;  and  if  I 
had  anyone  to  lay  my  clutches  on,  Hotot  is  not  the  man.' 

'  You  are  right,  my  boy,  never  snitch  upon  comrades  :  and  now, 
my  lad  of  mettle,  tell  me,  where  did  he  go  with  the  mot  ? 

*  Do  you  wish  to  know  ?    They  went  to  roost  at  Bicetre's.     I 
cannot  give  you  the  address,  for  I  did  not  ask  for  it' 

'  Oh  !  gone  to  Bicetre's  !  right  as  my  hand,  right  as  a  trivet — I 
will  go  and  stir  them  up.' 

'I  will  go  with  you — is  it  far  off?' 

*  You  know  the  Rue  du  Bon  Puits  ?* 
'Yes.' 

*  Well,  it  is  then  at  Lahire's,  on  the  fourth  pair  of  stairs.     Now, 
she  shall  carry  my  ten  commandments  in  her  face.     Jules,  have  you 
a  six  Hard  piece  ?  let  me  have  it,  that  I  may  mark  the  soles  of  her 
feet  with  it.' 

*  I  have  not  one.' 

'Never  mind,  I  have  my  key  in  my  handkerchie£  Oh,  I'll 
kick  up  a  h —  of  a  row.  I  thought  something  would  turn  up  this 
morning,  for  I  had  three  knaves  in  my  hand  of  cards.' 

'  Listen  to  me,  don't  be  too  much  in  haste.  That  will  not  be 
the  plan  to  find  if  they  be  there  or  not.  You  can  trust  to  me ;  let 
me  have  my  way.  If  I  remain  you  will  know  what  it  means — 
that  I  have  found  the  birds  at  roost' 

'  That's  a  good  idea,  let  us  be  sure  before  we  begin  to  make  an 
uproar.' 


HOTOTS  WIFE.  365 

We  reached  the  Rue  du  Bon  Puits,  and  I  entered,  when,  having 
assured  myself  that  Bicetre  was  in  his  lair,  I  rejoined  Emilie, 
whose  brain  was  actually  turned  by  wine  and  jealousy. 

*  Well,  now,  see  how  unlucky  we  are  !  they  have  just  left  with 
Bicetre  and  his  wife,  to  go  and  sup  at  Linois's.     I  asked  where, 
but  they  could  not  inform  me.' 

'  P'r'aps  they  would  not ;  but  that  is  of  no  consequence,  none  at 
all.  I  know  where  Linois  hangs  out,  at  his  mother's.  Come  with 
me ;  you  shall  go  and  ask  her,  that  they  may  have  no  suspicion  of 
anything.' 

*  Oh  !  you  will  take  me  from  place  to  place  till  morning.' 
'What,  Jules,  do  you  refuse  me?     Ah,  my  dear  boy,  don't 

refuse,  you  shall  have  no  reason  to  repent  it — I  will  give  you  as 
many  kisses  as  you  like.' 

How  could  a  kiss,  and  such  a  kiss,  be  resisted  ?  I  went  to  the 
Rue  Jocquelot,  and  then  I  climbed  to  the  sixth  story,  where  I  saw 
Linois,  who  did  not  know  my  name. 

'  I  am  looking  for  Hotot,'  I  said  to  him,  '  have  you  seen  him  ?' 
'No,'  was  the  reply,  and  as  he  was  in  bed,  I  retired,  after  having 
wished  him  good-night. 

'  We  have  the  luck  of  it !  I  have  again  been  thrown  off  my 
scent :  they  have  been  here,  but  are  now  gone  to  seek  for  Caffin  to 
stand  some  wine.  Where  does  Caffin  pitch  his  tent  f 

'  Why,  I  should  be  puzzled  to  tell  you,  but  as  he  is  a  petti- 
coat hunter,  I  am  sure  we  shall  find  him  amongst  the  women  in 
the  Place  aux  Veaux.  Come  along.' 

'  Why,  we  shall  traverse  the  four  corners  of  Paris.  It  is  getting 
late,  and  I  have  no  time  to  spare.' 

'  Pray,  Jules,  do  not  leave  me ;  the  inspectors  will  perhaps  grab 
me.' 

As  compliance  was  useful,  I  did  not  persist  in  my  refusal.  I 
went  with  Emilie  to  the  Place  aux  Veaux,  and  from  ken  to  ken^ 
taking  draughts  of  courage  in  each  cabaret,  we  flew  onwards  to  the 
place  where  I  hoped  to  perfect  my  informations.  We  flew,  I  say, 
though  the  expression  is  somewhat  strong,  in  spite  of  the  weight 
on  my  arm ;  Emilie,  very  much  intoxicated,  had  much  difficulty 
to  put  her  feet  on  the  ground.  Bufr  the  more  she  staggered,  the 
more  communicative  she  became,  so  that  she  disclosed  to  me  the 
most  secret  thoughts  of  her  faithless  swain.  I  learnt  from  her  all 
that  I  required  to  know  concerning  Hotot,  and  I  had  the  satisfac- 
tion of  convincing  myself  that  I  was  not  deceived  in  judging  him 
capable  of  directing  the  thieves  whom  he  proposed  to  give  up  to 
the  police.  Emilie  hoping  to  find  Hotot,  and  I  to  discover  Caffin, 
when  a  girl  named  Louison  la  Blagueuse,  whom  we  met,  told  us 


366  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

that  he  was  with  Emilie  Taquet,  and  that  he  would  pass  the  night 
either  at  Bariole's  or  at  Blondin's,  who  was  also  an  encourager  of 
loves.  'Thank  ye,  my  little  one,'  said  Simonet  to  the  sister  Cyprian 
who  gave  us  this  welcome  information. 

'  It  is  just  so,'  she  continued,  '  Bicetre  is  with  his  wife,  Linois 
and  Caffin  are  with  theirs,  Hotot  is  with  Felicite,  every  Jack  has 
his  Jill :  the  wretch  !  he  shall  have  my  life  or  I  will  have  his  ;  I 
don't  mind  being  killed  (grinding  her  teeth  and  tearing  her  hair) ; 
Jules,  do  not  leave  me,  I  will  massacre  them,  my  friend,  I  will 
massacre  them !' 

During  this  ebullition  of  vengeance,  we  were  still  going  forward, 
until  at  length  we  reached  the  corner  of  the  Rue  des  Arcis. 
*  What  are  you  doing,  Melie  ?'  grunted  out  a  harsh  voice,  and  a 
female  approached  us.  '  It  is  the  petite  Madelon,'  cried  Emilie. 

*  Ah,  my  lass  !  how  are  you  ?     I  am  on  the  look-out ;  have  you 
seen  Caffin  this  evening  ?' 

*  Caffin,  do  you  say  ?' 
1  Yes,  Caffin.' 

4  They  are  at  Mother  Bariole's.' 

No  hour  is  unfitting  that  can  be  turned  to  its  purpose.  Besides, 
Emilie  was  one  of  the  house.  We  went  in  and  learnt  that  Caffin 
was  there,  but  that  Hotot  had  not  made  his  appearance.  On  this 
intelligence,  Madame  Hotot  imagined  that  they  wished  to  deceive 
her. 

*  Yes,  you  encourage  his  vice,1  she  said  to  Bariole ;  '  give  me  my 
man,  you  old ' 

I  do  not  remember  the  epithets  she  heaped  upon  her,  but  there 
was,  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  an  incessant  firing,  supported  by  a 
succession  of  glasses  of  tape  poured  upon  the  wine  which  had 
already  fermented  jealousy  to  its  height.  *  Will  you  cease  with 
your  bullying  ?'  interrupted  Bariole,  who  was  an  excellent  trum- 
peter. *  Your  man  !  your  man  !  he  is  at  the  mill,  and  the  devil 
may  fetch  him.  Did  you  put  him  into  my  keeping?  He  is  a  fine 
kiddy  !  Everybody's  man  !  Such  fellows  as  he  are  to  be  picked 

up .  You  think  he  is  with  Caffin  ?  then  go  and  see  :  go  to 

Taquet's  chamber.' 

Emilie  did  not  allow  her  to  say  so  twice,  but  went  to  convince 
herself,  and  returned.  'Well,'  said  Bariole,  'are  you  satisfied 
now?' 

'There  is  no  one  there  but  Caffin.' 

'Did  I  not  tell  you  so?1 

'  Where  is  the  brute,  where  is  the  monster  ? 

'  If  you  like,'  I  said  to  her,  '  I  will  take  you  to  him.* 

9  Oh,  pray  do,  I  beg  of  you,  Jules,' 


HOTOTS  WIFE.  367 

« It  is  a  long  distance  from  here,  at  the  Hotel  d'Angleterre.' 

'  Do  you  think  he  is  there  ?' 

*  I  am  sure  of  it ;  he  went  to  pass  an  hour  or  two  and  wait  until 
Felicite  has  finished  her  evening,  and  then  he  will  go  and  meet 
her  in  the  Rue  Froid  Manteau.' 

Emilie  did  not  doubt  but  that  I  had  exactly  guessed  the  fact, 
and  would  not  delay  a  moment ;  she  was  bursting  with  rage,  but 
would  give  me  neither  peace  nor  quiet  until  I  had  consented  to 
undertake  to  go  with  her  to  the  Hotel  d'Angleterre.     The  transit 
appeared  long,  for  I  was  the  knight  of  a  lady  whose  centre  of 
gravity,  vacillating  excessively,  gave  me  much  trouble  to  keep  my 
own  equilibrium ;  however,  half  carrying  the  belle,  I  reached  the 
Rue  St.  Honore*  and  the  very  door  of  the  haunt  where  she  trusted 
to  find  her  man.     We  went  through  the  rooms,  and  without  fear 
of  disturbing  the  amorous  tete-d-tetes,  glanced  our  eyes  over  each 
closet  which  was  ranged  on  both  sides  of  the  corridor.     Hotot 
was  not  there,  and  the  rival  of  Fe'licite'  was  transported  beyond 
bounds ;  her  eyes  were  starting  from  their  orbits,  her  lips  covered 
with  foam ;  she  wept,  she  stormed,  she  was  an  epileptic,  a  demo- 
niac ;   with   dishevelled   hair,   pale,   her  features  frightfully  and 
spasmodically  contracted,  and  the  sinews  of  her  neck  stretched  by 
passion,  she  presented  the  hideous  appearance  of  one  of  those 
corpses  to  whom  galvanism  has  restored  motion.     Terrible  effects 
of  love  and  brandy,  jealousy  and  wine  !    Yet  in  the  crisis  which 
thus  agitated  her,  Emilie  did  not  lose  sight  of  me,  but,  clinging  to 
my  arm,  swore  never  to  quit  me  until  she  had  unkennelled  the  in- 
grate  who  had  thus  tormented  her.     But  there  was  now  no  more 
that  I  wished  to  learn,  and  for  some  time  I  had  been  endeavouring 
to  rid  myself  of  her,  and  make  her  understand  that  I  was  going  to 
inquire  if  Fe'licite'  had  returned,  which  was  soon  done,  as  she  lived 
in  a  house  where  there  was  a  doorkeeper.   Emilie,  who  had  received 
so  much  complaisance  from  me,  could  but  be  pleased  with  my 
offer,  and  I  went  out  without  any  attempt  on  her  part  to  follow 
me ;  but  instead  of  performing  the  commission  I  had  undertaken, 
I  went  to  the  corps  de  garde  of  the  Chateau  d'Eau,  when,  making 
myself  known  to  the  chief  officer,  I  begged  him  to  arrest  and  keep 
her  in  the  closest  confinement.     It  certainly  pained  me  to  push 
matters  to  this  extremity,  for  after  all  she  had  evinced  it  will  be 
agreed  that  Emilie  deserved  a  better  fate,  but  this  night  she  cer- 
tainly passed  in  the  guard-house.     How  painful  it  is  sometimes  to 
perform  strict  duty  !    No  one  knew  better  than  myself  where  was 
the  beloved  whom  she  was  cursing ;  was  I  not  necessarily  deprived 
of  the  satisfaction  of  proving  him  innocent  when  she  supposed 
him  guilty  ?  Perhaps,  before  I  proceed  farther,  it  may  not  be  use- 


368  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

less  to  say  why  I  had  caused  Hotot  to  be  apprehended.  It  was 
that  he  might  not  have  time  to  exculpate  himself  by  the  removal 
of  all  traces  of  his  share  in  the  robbery,  or  in  bargaining  for  his 
safety  with  the  police.  But  the  tender  Emilie,  why  imprison  her? 
Had  'I  not  to  dread  her  return  to  Bariole's,  where  in  the  loquacity 
of  intoxication  she  might  utter  reminiscences  which  would  put 
Caffin  on  his  guard  ?  It  may  be  objected  that  she  was  not  in  a 
state  even  to  keep  herself  upright ;  I  will  not  dispute  that ;  but  the 
reader  must  remember  that,  from  the  experience  of  children  and 
drunkards,  certain  philosophers  have  been  induced  to  think  that 
men  (and  women  of  course  included)  were  originally  quadrupeds. 
Emilie,  even  on  four  paws,  could  have  regained  her  domicile,  and 
then  her  tongue  would  soon  have  returned,  and  my  measures  must 
infallibly  have  been  betrayed. 

After  all  these  precautions,  Hotot  being  already  in  my  clutch, 
I  had  only  to  secure  his  three  accomplices,  and  I  knew  where  to 
prick  for  them  all.  I "  took  two  agents  with  me,  and  soon  after- 
wards presented  myself  at  Bariole's  in  the  name  of  the  law. 

'  Ah  f  said  the  mother,  '  when  I  saw  you  bring  your  body  here 
I  feared  all  was  not  right  What  will  these  gentlemen  take  ?'  she 
added,  addressing  my  two  aide-de-camps.  '  You  will  take  some- 
thing to  be  sure,  what  shall  it  be  ?  from  the  small  bottle  that  I  keep 
for  friends  ?'  and  whilst  speaking,  she  stooped  to  rummage  in  her 
counter-draw,  whence  she  took,  from  amongst  a  parcel  of  millinery, 
an  old  gilt  flask  which  contained  the  precious  liquid.  'I  am 
obliged  to  hide  it,  or  with  these  girls — ah  !  people  are  much  to  be 
pitied  who  have  to  deal  with  women.  I  vow,  if  ever  I  can  get  a 
means  of  living — how  happy  they  are  who  have  an  income  to  live 
upon  !  See,  I  have  not  enough  to  provide  myself  with  an  arm- 
chair. Here  is  one  like  a  skeleton,  we  can  see  its  bones.' 

*  Oh  !  come,  tell  us  about  your  sofa  ;  it  has  beautiful  hair,  and 
one  leg  in  the  air  most  gracefully,'  said  a  young  girl,  who,  when 
we  entered,  was  sleeping  on  a  table  in  the  corner  of  the  room ;  'it 
is  like  Philemon  and  Baucis.' 

'  What,  is  that  you,  little  Real  ?  I  did  not  see  you.  What  are 
you  chattering  about,  with  your  Philemus  and  Baucon  ?  What  are 
you  talking  about  ? 

*  I  said,'  replied  Fifine,  'that  it  is  like  the  Sybil's  tripod.' 

'  Good,  good,  it  is  the  tripeman's  arm-chair ;  you  shall  not  say 
so  of  it  any  longer.  I  will  have  it  new  stuffed.  You  see,  she  has 
had  an  education,  and  is  not  an  ignorant  beast  like  us  :  see  what 
it  is  to  have  parents.  But  I  know  enough  to  carry  on  the  war. 
Come,  come,  Fifine,  draw  the  cork  of  this  bottle  and  have  a 
drop.' 


ARREST  OF  CAFFIN.  369 

'You  are  very  kind,  ma'am.' 

*  Do  not  tell  any  of  the  others.' 

The  glass  was  poured  out,  and  a  double  row  of  pearls  were 
formed  on  the  surface  of  the  cognac* 

1  It  is  delicious ;  I  say  it  is  in  the  Costico  Barbara!  observed 
Fifine. 

'  Well,  gentlemen,'  resumed  Bariole,  '  shall  we  leave  a  drop  for 
the  Capuchins  ?  Fill,  I  drink  to  you.  Here's  to  you,  my  men  ; 
here  we  are  all  in  perfect  harmony,  and  yet  we  must  die  some  day  ! 
It  is  so  pleasant  to  agree  when  friends  meet !  Ah  !  my  God,  yes 
we  must  die,  and  that  pains  me,  and  yet  we  have  all  toil  and 
trouble  on  this  earth  ;  it  is  too  much  for  me — there  is  not  a 
minute  when  the  idea  does  not  pass  through  my  mind  ;  but  let  us 
live  honestly,  that  is  the  main  thing,  and  then  we  can  always  walk 
with  our  heads  up. — Let  us  not  be  led  into  temptation.  In  my 
case,  die  when  I  may,  no  one  can  reproach  me  with  wronging  them 
of  the  value  of  a  pin's  head.  But  what  leads  you  here  at  this 
hour,  my  children  ?  Not  for  my  girls  ;  they  are  all  quiet  j  if  you 
want  a  sample,  look  at  her  (pointing  to  Fifine).  But,  by-the-by, 
Jules,  what  have  you  done  with  Melie  ?' 

4  I'll  tell  you  presently  ;  give  us  a  candle.' 

*  I  will  bet  you  want  Caffin.     Good  riddance ;  I  assure  you  he 
is  a  regular  fancy  man' 

4  And  a  woman  thumper,  too  !'  added  Fifine. 

*  We   don't  often   see  the  colour  of  his  blunt?  said  Bariole. 
'  See,  Jules,  on   this  slate  are  the   expense  and  earnings  of  his 
wife ;  she  cannot  get  enough  for  the  fellow.     If  Paris  could  be 
cleared  of  such  vagabonds,  we  should  be  better  off.'     She  offered 
to  lead  me  to  the  pensioner's  chamber,  but  as  I  knew  the  way  as 
well  as  she  did,  I  declined  the  offer.    '  The  second  door,'  she  said, 
1  with  the  key  in  it.'     I  could  not  mistake,  and  entering  the  room, 
told  Caffin  he  was  my  prisoner. 

4  Well !  well !  what's  the  row  ?'  said  he,  waking ;  c  what,  is  it  you, 
Jules,  who  have  nabbed  me  ?' 

*  What  do  you  mean  ?     I  am  no  conjuror,  and  if  you  had  been 
snitched,  I  should  not  have  come  to  disturb  your  sleep.' 

'  What,  at  the  old  game  ?  but  it  won't  do ;  old  birds  are  not 
caught  with  such  chaff.' 

4  Just  as  you  please,  it  is  your  own  affair;  but  if  what  they  say 
be  true,  your  fortune  is  told — you  are  bound  for  a  trip  to  the 
Bagne.' 

4  Yes,  believe  that  and  drink  water,  you  will  never  be  full.' 

*  Well  then,  if  you  must  have  it  all  to  convince  you,  listen.     I 
have  no  interest  in  pumping  you.     I  repeat  that  I  could  not  have 

24 


370  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

guessed  your  haunt  had  I  not  been  told  that  you  filched  some 
double  tripe  (lead)  on  the  Boulevard  Saint-Martin,  when  you 
narrowly  escaped  the  watch,  or  you  would  not  have  needed  my 
visit.  Are  you  -fly  now  ?  Out  of  the  quartette  that  made  the 
gang,  one  has  bloivn  the  gaff ;  guess  the  nose  and  I  will  tell  you.' 

Caffin  reflected  for  a  moment,  and  then,  lifting  his  head  up  like 
a  horse  who  rears,  *  Jules,'  he  said,  '  I  perceive  one  of  the  party 
has  started ;  take  me  to  the  big-wig  an&  I'll  make  a  clean  breast 
on't  too.  There  is  no  harm  in  peaching  when  others  have  nosed 
first.  It  is  another  thing  with  you,  who  are  a  spy  by  compulsion, 
for  I  know  that  if  you  could  make  a  good  hit,  you  would  give  the 
police  the  go-by.' 

*  As  you  observe,  my  boy,  if  I  had  known  what  I  now  know,  I 
should  not  have  been  amongst  them,  but  when  our  senses  leave 
us  we  do  many  things  we  cannot  undo.' 

'  Where  are  you  going  to  take  me  to  ?' 

1  To  the  station  of  the  Place  du  Chatelet,  and  if  you  will  tell 
the  facts,  I  will  inform  the  commissary.' 

'  Yes,  tell  him  to  come,  I  will  trap  that Hotot,  for  it  is 

only  he  who  could  have  blown  us.' 

The  commissary  came.  Caffin  confessed  the  crime,  but  at  the 
same  time  did  not  fail  to  accuse  Hotot,  whom  he  pointed  out  as 
his  only  accomplice.  He  was  not  a  false  brother.  His  two  friends 
showed  the  same  friendship ;  surprised  in  bed,  and  interrogated 
separately,  they  could  not  do  otherwise  than  confess  their  guilt. 
Hotot,  whom  they  accused  of  their  misfortune,  was  the  only  one 
whom  each  inculpated.  In  spite  of  this  nobility  of  feeling,  worthy 
of  being  cited  with  the  fine  traits  of  '  Active  Morality,'  this  gene- 
rous trio  were  sent  to  the  galleys,  and  the  traitor  Hotot  accom- 
panied them.  He  is  now  at  the  Bagne,  where,  most  probably, 
he  does  but  talk  about  the  most  curious  particulars  of  his  appre- 
hension. 

Emilie  Simonet  was  released  after  six  hours'  captivity.  When 
set  free,  she  was  half  paralyzed  by  the  bumpers  she  had  quaffed ; 
she  could  no  longer  understand,  speak,  or  see,  nor  had  she  pre- 
served the  least  recollection  of  what  had  passed.  When  the  first 
rays  of  light  broke  in  upon  her,  she  asked  for  her  lover,  and  on  the 
reply  of  one  of  her  companions  that  he  was  at  La  Force, 
'  Miserable  man  !'  she  exclaimed,  '  what  had  he  to  do  with  taking 
lead  from  roofs,  had  he  not  all  that  man  could  wish  for  with  me  ?' 
Afterwards,  the  unfortunate  Emilie  showed  herself  inconsolable, 
and  the  exemplary  model  of  a  grief  that  was  daily  poisoned  ;  if  in 
the  morning  she  was  only  maudlin,  by  evening  she  was  dead — 
drunk.  Terrible  effects  of  love  and  brandy,  of  brandy  and  love 


BOUCHER.  371 

A  theft  of  small  extent  has  supplied  me  with  an  opportunity  of 
sketching  a  hideous  picture  ;  and  yet  the  sketch  is  very  imperfect 
and  far  from  the  abominable  reality,  from  which  the  powers  that 
be,  who  are  bound  to  promote  all  that  is  good  and  civilized,  will 
deliver  us,  when  to  them  it  seemeth  best  To  permit  these  sinks 
of  corruption  wherein  the  people  plunge  body  and  soul,  and 
which  are  never  closed,  is  an  insult  to  morality,  an  outrage  upon 
nature,  and  a  crime  against  humanity.  Let  not  these  pages  be 
accused  as  licentious  :  they  are  not  the  recitals  of  Petronius,  which 
add  fuel  to  the  already  inflamed  imagination,  and  make  proselytes 
to  impurity.  I  describe  immorality,  not  to  extend  its  influences, 
but  to  make  them  abominated.  Who  that  has  read  this  chapter 
is  not  horrified  at  the  vices  it  depicts,  since  they  produce  the  last 
degree  of  brutalization  ? 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

The  mania  for  turning  spy — Self-denounced  female  thief — The  treacherous  kiss 
— The  washerwoman's  basket — The  stolen  child — The  modern  Sappho — 
Liberty  not  the  first  of  blessings. 

AMONGST  professed  robbers,  there  were  but  few  who  did  not  con- 
sider it  fortunate  to  be  consulted  by  the  police  for  information,  or 
employed  in  some  enterprise.  Nearly  the  whole  of  them  would 
have  been  cut  into  quarters  to  evince  their  zeal,  under  the  per- 
suasion that  they  thereby  obtained,  if  not  entire  immunity,  at  least 
some  little  allowance.  Those  who  most  feared  its  powers  were 
always  most  ready  to  serve  it.  I  remember,  as  a  case  in  point,  the 
adventure  of  a  liberated  galley-slave,  called  Boucher,  alias  Cadet 
Poignon.  For  more  than  three  weeks  I  had  been  on  the  look-out 
for  him,  when  by  chance  I  met  him  at  a  cabaret  in  the  Rue  Saint 
Antoine,  at  the  sign  of  the  Bras  d'Or.  I  was  alone,  and  he  was  in 
a  large  company.  To  attempt  to  seize  him  ex  abaupto  would  have 
been  to  risk  a  failure,  for  he  could  have  defended  himself,  and  in- 
sured assistance.  Boucher  had  been  an  agent  of  police.  I  had 
known  him  as  such,  and  we  were  on  very  good  terms  together.  It 
occurred  to  me  that  I  would  accost  him  in  a  friendly  manner,  and 
give  him  a  specimen  of  my  craft.  On  entering  the  cabaret,  I  went 
directly  up  to  the  table  where  he  was  sitting,  and  offered  him  my 
hand,  saying,  *  Good-day,  friend  Cadet' 

*  Ah,  Jules,  my  boy,  will  you  have  anything  ?  call  for  a  glass,  or 
take  mine/ 

*  Yours  is  good  :  there  is  no  gall  on  your  lips.'     (I  drank.)     « I 
want  to  say  a  word  in  your  ear.' 

'  With  pleasure,  old  fellow;  I  am  with  you.' 

24—3 


372  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

He  rose,  and,  taking  him  by  the  arm,  I  said, {  Do  you  remembei 
the  little  sailor  who  was  in  the  chain  with  you  ?' 

'  Yes,  yes,  a  little  fat,  short  chap,  who  was  in  the  second  string, 
wasn't  he  ?' 

*  Exactly  so,  at  least,  so  I  think.     Should  you  know  him  again  ?' 

*  As  well  as  if  I  saw  my  own  father.     I  think  I  see  him  now,  on 
Bench  No.  13,  making  straps  for  the  covie?  darbies? 

1 1  have  just  apprehended  a  chap,  who  I  think  is  he,  but  am 
not  sure.  By  chance  I  went  to  the  guard-house  at  Birague,  and 
as  I  went  out  saw  you  enter  here.  "  Parbleu  !"  said  I  to  myself, 
"  that  is  lucky ;  here's  Cadet,  and  he  will  tell  me  if  I  am  right 
or  not." ' 

'  I  am  quite  ready,  my  boy,  if  I  can  oblige  you ;  but  before  we 
go,  we  will  have  a  glass  or  two.  My  friends  '  (to  his  companions), 
*  do  not  be  impatient ;  it  is  only  the  affair  of  a  minute,  and  I  will 
be  with  you  again  instantly.' 

We  started,  and  on  reaching  the  guard-house  door,  politeness 
required  that  I  should  go  first,  and  I  did  the  honours.  He  went 
to  the  bottom  of  the  room,  looked  sharply  about  him,  but  sought 
in  vain  for  the  individual  of  whom  I  had  spoken  to  him. 

'Where,'  said  he,  'is  this  fagot*  (galley-slave)  'that  I  am  to 
look  at  ?' 

I  was  then  near  the  door,  and  saw  placed  against  the  wall  the 
fragments  of  a  looking-glass,  such  as  is  usually  found  in  most  guard- 
houses for  the  use  of  the  dandies  of  the  garrison,  and  calling  to 
Boucher,  I  showed  him  the  shattered  reflector. 

'Here,'  I  said,  '  look  here.' 

He  looked,  and  turning  towards  me,  said : 

'  Ah,  Jules,  you  are  chaffing  me.  I  see  only  you  and  myself  in 
the  glass  ;  but  the  man,  the  arrested  man,  where  is  he  ?' 

'  You  must  know  that  there  is  no  man  arrested  here  but  yourself. 
See  the  order  for  your  apprehension.' 

'  Ah  !  this  is  a  villainous  trick.' 

'  Don't  you  know  that  the  most  crafty  man  is  he  who  prospers 
best  in  this  world  ?' 

'  The  most  crafty,  certainly ;  but  it  will  do  you  no  good  to  trap 
honest  fellows  in  this  way.' 

I  had  obtained  the  liberty  of  two  celebrated  female  thieves,  on 
condition  of  their  serving  the  police  faithfully.  They  had  already 
given  proofs  of  their  skill  in  this  way  ;  but  employed  without  salary, 
and  compelled  to  plunder  for  an  existence,  they  were  taken  again 
in  the  very  act  of  robbery.  The  sentence  they  underwent  was  that 
of  which  I  abridged  the  duration. 

Sophie  Lambert  and  the  girl  Domer,  alias  La  Belle  Lise,  were 


SOPHIE.  373 

thenceforward  in  direct  communication  with  me.  One  morning 
they  came  to  tell  me  that  they  were  certain  of  procuring  the  appre- 
hension of  one  Tominot,  a  dangerous  fellow,  whom  we  had  long 
been  searching  for.  They  were  going,  they  declared,  to  breakfast 
with  him,  and  he  was  to  rejoin  them  in  the  evening  at  a  vintner's 
in  the  Rue  Saint-Antome.  Under  other  circumstances  I  might 
have  been  duped  by  these  women  ;  but  Tominot  had  been  arrested 
by  me  the  previous  evening,  and  it  was  a  rather  difficult  matter  for 
them  to  breakfast  with  him.  I  \\  as,  nevertheless,  determined  to  try 
how  far  they  would  push  the  imposture,  and  promised  to  accom- 
pany them  to  their  rendezvous.  I  went  accordingly,  but  as  may 
be  supposed,  no  Tominot  appeared  up  to  ten  o'clock,  when  Sophie, 
pretending  impatience,  asked  the  waiter  if  a  gentleman  had  not 
inquired  for  them. 

'  Him  you  breakfasted  with  ?'  said  he.  '  He  came  at  dusk,  and 
desired  me  to  say  that  he  could  not  be  with  you  this  evening,  but 
would  not  fail  in  the  morning.' 

I  had  no  doubt  that  the  waiter  was  an  accomplice,  who  had  re- 
ceived his  instructions  ;  but  I  evinced  no  suspicion,  and  determined 
on  seeing  what  these  ladies  would  do  next.  For  an  entire  week 
they  took  me  sometimes  to  one  place,  sometimes  to  another, 
where  we  were  always  to  find  Tominot,  but  who  of  course  never 
appeared.  At  length,  on  the  6th  of  January,  they  swore  they  would 
lead  me  to  him.  I  waited  for  them,  but  they  appeared  without 
him,  and  gave  me  such  good  reasons,  that  I  could  not  be  angry  ; 
on  the  contrary,  I  evinced  much  satisfaction  at  the  measures  they 
had  adopted ;  and  to  prove  how  well  contented  I  was  with  them,  I 
offered  to  give  them  a  twelfth-cake.  They  accepted  the  offer,  and 
we  went  to  the  Petit  Broc,  in  the  Rue  de  la  Verrerie.  We  drew 
for  king  and  queen,  and  the  royalty  fell  to  Sophie's  share,  who  was 
a  queen  in  all  her  glory.  We  ate,  drank,  laughed,  and  when  the 
moment  of  separation  approached,  it  was  proposed  to  consummate 
our  gaiety  by  a  few  bumpers  of  brandy  ;  but  a  vintner's  brandy, 
stuff !  It  was  good  enough  for  the  ladies  of  the  fish-market ;  but 
I  scorned  to  use  my  queen  in  that  way.  At  this  period  I  was 
established  as  a  distiller  in  the  Tourniquet  Saint-Jean,  and  I  offered 
to  go  to  my  house  and  fetch  them  a  drop  of  the  right  sort.  At  this 
offer  the  party  jumped  for  joy,  and  desiring  me  to  return  as  quickly 
as  possible,  I  set  out,  and  two  minutes  afterwards  I  appeared  with 
a  half-bottle  of  cognac,  which  was  emptied  in  a  twinkling.  The 
flask  being  dried,  I  exclaimed,  *  Come,  I  have  been  a  good  boy  to 
you — you  must  now  do  me  a  service.' 

*  Both,  my  friend  Jules,'  cried  Sophie  ;  *  let  us  see  what  it  is.' 

'  Why,  this  it  is.     One  of  my  agents  has  apprehended  two  lady 


374  MEMOIRS  OF  VlDOCQ. 

thieves;  it  is  thought  they  have  at  home  a  great  many  stolen 
articles,  but  to  make  the  search  we  must  find  their  abode,  and  they 
refuse  to  give  it.  They  are  now  at  the  guard-house  of  Saint-Jean  ; 
if  you  go  there  you  must  try  and  pump  them.  An  hour  or  two  will 
suffice  for  you  to  draw  them,  and  it  will  be  easy  work  to  two  such 
deep  baggages  as  you.' 

'  Be  easy,  my  dear  Jules,'  said  Sophie  to  me ;  '  we  will  perform 
the  commission.  You  know  you  can  trust  to  us,  and  you  might 
send  us  to  the  world's  end  if  it  could  serve  you  j  at  least,  I  can 
speak  for  myself.' 

'  And  for  me  too,'  said  La  Belle  Lise. 

'  Well,  then,  you  must  convey  a  line  to  the  officer  on  guard,  that 
he  may  know  you.' 

I  wrote  a  note,  which  I  sealed,  gave  it  to  them,  and  we  went  out 
together.  At  a  short  distance  from  the  market  of  Saint-Jean  we 
separated,  and  whilst  I  remained  on  the  watch,  the'  queen  and  her 
companion  went  to  the  guard-house.  Sophie  entered  first,  and  pre- 
sented the  billet  to  the  sergeant,  who,  on  reading  it,  said  : 

1  All  right,  here  you  both  are.  Corporal,  take  four  men  with  you, 
and  conduct  these  ladies  to  the  prefecture.'  This  order  was  given 
conformably  to  a  note  I  had  sent  to  the  sergeant  on  going  out  to 
get  the  brandy ;  it  was  thus  written  : 

*  Monsieur  the  officer  on  guard  will  send  under  sure  and  good 
escort,  to  the  prefecture  of  police,  the  females  Sophie  Lambert  and 
Lise  Domer,  apprehended  by  order  of  M.  le  Prefet.' 

These  ladies  must  have  made  singular  reflections,  and  doubtless 
guessed  that  I  was  wearied  with  being  made  their  plaything.  Be 
that  as  it  may,  I  went  to  see  them  at  the  depot  next  day,  and  asked 
them  what  they  thought  of  the  trick  ? 

1  Not  bad,'  replied  Sophie,  '  not  bad ;  we  had  not  stolen  though/ 
Then,  addressing  Lise,  *  It  is  your  fault ;  why  did  you  pretend  to 
seek  for  a  man  who  was  already  caught  ?' 

*  Did  I  know  it  ?     Ah,  if  I  had,  I  promise  you Besides, 

what  do  you  want?     He  is  caught,  and  they  can  accuse  him.' 

4  That  is  all  very  fine  :  but  tell  us,  Jules,  how  long  will  they  keep 
us  at  Saint-Lazare  ?' 

'  Six  months  at  least.' 

'  Only  that  ?'  they  cried  out  together. 

'Six  months  is  nothing,'  added  Sophie;  'it  is  soon  passed. 
Well,  my  sweet  lad,  we  are  at  the  disposal  of  the  prefer,' 

They  had  a  month  less  than  I  had  told  them,  and  as  soon  as 
they  were  at  liberty,  came  to  bring  me  fresh  informations ;  and 
this  time  they  were  true.  One  remarkable  peculiarity  is,  that 


SOPHIE.  375 

female  thieves  are  usually  more  incorrigible  than  males.  Sophie 
Lambert  could  never  persuade  herself  to  renounce  her  habitual 
crime.  From  the  age  of  ten  she  had  entered  on  the  career  of 
theft ;  and  when  only  twenty-five  years  of  age  had  spent  more 
than  a  third  of  her  life  in  prison. 

A  short  time  after  my  entrance  into  the  service  of  the  police, 
I  apprehended  her,  and  she  was  sentenced  to  two  years'  imprison- 
ment. It  was  principally  in  furnished  houses  that  she  exercised 
her  culpable  industry :  no  one  was  more  skilful  in  deceiving  the 
vigilance  of  the  porters,  nor  more  fruitful  in  expedients  to  escape 
their  questions.  Once  introduced,  she  halted  at  each  landing  to 
make  a  survey.  If  she  saw  a  key  in  any  door,  she  turned  it 
without  noise  ;  and  if  the  person  who  occupied  the  apartment  was 
sleeping,  no  matter  how  lightly,  Sophie  had  a  hand  still  lighter, 
and  in  no  time,  watches,  jewels,  money,  all  found  their  way  to  her 
game-bag,  the  name  she  gave  to  a  secret  pocket  under  her  apron. 
If  the  tenant  of  the  room  was  awake,  Sophie  had  excuses  enough 
ready,  declaring  that  she  had  made  a  mistake.  Then  if  he  awoke 
during  the  operation,  without  being  at  all  disconcerted,  she  ran  to 
the  bed,  and  embracing  him,  exclaimed,  '  Ah,  my  poor  little  Mim, 
let  me  kiss  you  !  Ah  !  sir,  I  ask  pardon.  What !  is  not  this 
Number  17  ?  I  thought  I  was  at  my  lover's.' 

One  morning  a  person,  whose  apartment  she  was  ransacking, 
having  suddenly  opened  his  eyes,  perceived  her  near  his  drawers. 
He  made  an  exclamation  of  surprise,  and  Sophie  immediately 
began  to  play  her  scene  ;  but  the  gentleman  was  not  to  be  deceived, 
and  was  determined  to  profit  by  the  pretended  mistake  ;  if  Sophie 
resisted,  a  sound  of  money  produced  by  the  struggle  might  betray 
the  motive  of  her  visit ; — if  she  yielded  the  peril  might  be  still 
greater.  What  was  to  be  done  ?  for  any  other  than  herself  the 
conjecture  would  have  been  very  embarrassing.  Sophie  was  not 
cruel,  and  by  the  aid  of  a  lie  removed  all  difficulty,  and  the  indi- 
vidual, satisfied  with  what  passed,  allowed  her  to  retire.  He  only 
lost  at  this  game  his  watch,  his  purse,  and  six  spoons. 

This  woman  was  a  daring  creature  :  twice  she  ran  headlong 
into  my  snares,  but,  after  her  liberation,  in  vain  did  I  try  to  entrap 
her  ;  there  was  no  watching  which  she  did  not  baffle,  so  completely 
was  she  on  her  guard.  But  what  I  could  not  effect  by  my  utmost 
efforts,  to  take  her  flagranle  delicto^  I  owed  to  a  circumstance 
entirely  fortuitous. 

Having  left  my  home  at  daybreak,  I  was  crossing  the  Place  du 
Chatelet,  when  I  met  Sophie  face  to  face.  She  accosted  me  with 
much  ease.  '  Good-day,  Jules ;  whither  are  you  bound  so  early  ? 
I  will  wager  that  you  are  going  to  catch  some  poor  rook.' 


376  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

*  Perhaps  so  ;  but  certainly  you  are  not  the  person ;  but  where 
are  you  going?' 

*  I  am  going  to  Corbeil  to  see  my  sister,  who  is  about  to  establish 
me  in  a  house.     I  am  weary  of  the  stone  jug.     I  am  getting 
reformed ;  will  you  have  a  drop  of  short  ¥ 

'  Willingly ;  I  will  stand  treat,  and  we  will  have  it  at  Lepre*tre's. 

'  Well,  do  as  you  like,  but  make  haste,  lest  I  lose  the  diligence ; 
you  will  go  with  me,  won't  you  ?  it  is  only  in  the  Rue  Dauphine.' 

'  Impossible  !  I  have  business  at  La  Chapelle,  and  am  already 
late.  All  I  can  do,  is  to  take  a  small  glass  standing.' 

We  went  to  Lepretre,  and  after  a  word  or  two,  and  a  glass,  I  took 
my  leave. 

'  Adieu,  Jules ;  good  luck  !' 

Whilst  Sophie  trudged  away  from  me,  I  turned  down  the  Rue 
de  la  Haumerie,  and  ran  to  hide  myself  in  the  corner  of  the  Rue 
Planche  Mibray;  there  I  saw  her  file  off  towards  the  Pont-au- 
Change,  walking  very  fast,  and  looking  behind  her  at  every  instant. 
I  felt  assured  that  she  feared  being  followed,  and  thereupon 
determined  to  pursue  her.  I  gained  the  bridge  of  Notre  Dame, 
and,  crossing  it  rapidly,  reached  the  quay  in  time  not  to  lose  sight 
of  her.  On  reaching  the  Rue  Dauphine,  she  actually  entered 
the  office  of  the  Corbeil  coaches ;  but,  persuaded  that  her  departure 
was  but  a  ruse  to  deceive  me  as  to  the  intention  of  her  early  ap- 
pearance, I  ensconced  myself  in  a  corner,  whence  I  could  observe 
motions.  Whilst  thus  on  the  watch,  a  coach  passed,  in  which  I 
installed  myself,  and  promised  an  extra  fee  to  the  coachman  if  he 
would  follow  a  female  whom  I  should  point  out  to  him.  For  the 
moment  we  were  stationary ;  the  diligence  started,  but  there  was 
no  Sophie  there,  I  would  have  betted  my  life ;  but  some  minutes 
afterwards  she  came  to  the  office  door,  looked  about  on  all  sides, 
and  then  started  off  towards  the  Rue  Christine.  She  entered  into 
several  furnished  houses,  and  by  her  air  I  could  perceive  that  no 
opportunity  had  offered,  but  as  she  persisted  in  exploring  the  same 
quarter,  I  drew  the  natural  inference  that  she  had  not  manoeuvred 
successfully,  and  as  I  was  persuaded  that  she  had  not  yet  finished, 
I  took  care  not  to  interrupt  her.  At  length  she  entered  (in  the 
Rue  de  la  Harpe)  a  fruiterer's,  and  a  moment  afterwards  appeared 
carrying  a  large  washerwoman's  basket,  which  seemed  heavy.  She 
walked,  however,  very  fast,  and  soon  reached  the  Rue  Mathurins- 
Saint-Jacques,  and  then  that  of  Magons  Sorbonne.  Unfortunately 
for  Sophie,  there  is  a  passage  which  communicates  with  the  Rue 
de  la  Harpe  and  the  Rue  des  Magons,  and  there,  after  having 
alighted,  I  hastened  to  hide  myself,  and  when  she  reached  the 
end  of  the  alley  I  came  forth,  and  we  met  face  to  face.  On  seeing 


SOPHIE  AND  THE  BASKET.  377 

me  she  changed  colour,  and  attempted  to  speak,  but  was  so  much 
agitated  that  she  could  not  utter  a  word.  However,  she  came  to 
herself  gradually,  and  pretending  to  be  in  a  great  rage,  said  to  me  : 

'  You  see  a  woman  in  a  passion ;  my  laundress,  who  was  to  have 
brought  my  linen  to  the  diligence,  failed  in  her  promise ;  I  have 
just  fetched  it  from  her,  and  am  going  to  convey  it  to  a  friend ; 
that  has  prevented  me  from  going  to  Corbeil.' 

'  Just  my  case ;  on  going  to  La  Chapelle,  I  met  a  person  who 
told  me  that  my  man  was  in  this  quarter,  and  that  brought  me 
here.' 

'  So  much  the  better :  wait  for  me,  I  am  going  a  few  steps  hence 
with  my  basket,  and  we  will  have  a  chop  together.' 

'  That  I  have  no  objection  to ;  I  ,  but  what  do  I  hear  ?' 

Sophie  arid  I  stood  thunderstruck  at  hearing  piercing  cries  issue 
from  the  basket ;  I  lifted  up  the  linen  that  covered  it,  and  saw — a 
child  of  two  or  three  months  old,  whose  roaring  would  have  split 
the  tympanum  of  a  dead  man. 

'  Well/  said  I  to  Sophie,  '  the  brat  is  yours,  I  suppose.  Tell  me, 
is  it  a  girl,  or  a  boy  ?' 

'  Well,  I  am  caught  again.  I  shall  remember  this,  and  if  ever  I 
am  asked  why,  I  shall  answer,  "  Oh,  nothing,  a  childish  affair." 
Another  time  when  I  steal  linen  I  will  first  look  at  it.' 

'  And  this  umbrella,  whose  is  it  ?' 

4  Oh  !  my  God,  yes As  you  see  ;  I  had,  however,  where- 
withal to  shelter  myself :  but  when  the  chance  is  against  you,  it  is 
in  vain  to  attempt  it.' 

I  conducted  Sophie  to  M.  de  Fresne's,  commissary  of  police, 
whose  office  was  in  the  neighbourhood.  The  umbrella  was  kept 
as  a  convicting  evidence.  As  to  the  child,  whom  she  had  unwit- 
tingly carried  off,  it  was  instantly  returned  to  its  mother.  The 
thief  had  a  sentence  of  five  years'  imprisonment.  It  was,  I 
believe,  the  fifth  or  sixth  sentence  she  had  undergone;  she  is  still 
in  the  hands  of  justice,  and  I  should  not  be  surprised  if  she 
remains  at  Lazare  for  life.  Sophie  thought  the  trade  she  carried 
«m  a  very  natural  one,  and  its  repression,  when  unavoidable,  she 
looked  upon  as  an  accident.  Prison  had  no  horrors  for  her — far 
from  it ;  she  was,  in  a  manner,  in  her  sphere.  Sophie  had  con- 
tracted those  inclinations,  more  than  strange,  which  are  not  justified 
by  the  example  of  Sappho  of  old,  and  under  lock  and  key  the 
opportunities  of  abandoning  herself  to  these  shameful  depravities 
were  more  frequent ;  it  was  not  without  a  motive,  as  we  see,  that 
she  had  so  little  liberty.  If  she  were  apprehended,  it  caused  her 
but  trifling  pain,  as  she  consoled  herself  by  perspective  pleasures. 
This  woman  was  a  strange  character,  as  we  may  judge.  A  woman 


378  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ, 

named  Gillion,  with  whom  she  lived  in  culpable  intimacy,  was 
taken  whilst  committing  a  theft.  Sophie,  who  aided  her,  escaped, 
and  had  nothing  to  fear ;  but,  unable  to  endure  a  separation  from 
her  friend,  she  had  herself  denounced,  and  was  not  happy  until 
she  heard  the  sentence  read  which  was  to  reunite  them  for  two 
years.  The  majority  of  these  creatures  make  a  sport  of  prison  ; 
I  have  seen  many,  sentenced  for  a  crime  which  they  had  committed 
alone,  accuse  a  comrade,  and  she,  although  innocent,  make  a 
merit  of  resigning  herself  to  her  sentence. 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

Our  friends  our  enemies— The  jeweller  and  the  clergyman — The  hiding-place 
and  the  coffer — The  Cossacks  innocent — The  false  soldier — The  cooper's 
wife  at  Livry — Local  reputation — I  am  a  Jew — My  pilgrimage  with  the  nun 
of  Dourdans — My  metamorphosis  into  a  German  servant — I  am  imprisoned — 
The  church  rat- -The  flesh-coloured  coat — My  history — Battle  of  Montereau 
— I  have  robbed  my  master — Projects  of  escape — Journey  to  Germany— 
The  black  hen — My  release — Flight  with  an  unfortunate  companion — A  great 
store  of  diamonds. 

A  SHORT  time  before  the  first  invasion,  M.  Senard,  one  of  the  richest 
jewellers  of  the  Palais  Royal,  having  gone  to  pay  a  visit  to  his 
friend  the  cure*  of  Livry,  found  him  in  one  of  those  perplexities 
which  are  generally  caused  by  the  approach  of  our  good  friends 
the  enemy.  He  was  anxious  to  secrete  from  the  rapacity  of  the 
Cossacks  first  the  consecrated  vessels,  and  then  his  own  little  trea- 
sures. After  much  hesitation,  although  in  his  situation  he  must 
have  been  used  to  interments,  Monsieur  le  Cur£  decided  on  bury- 
ing the  objects  which  he  was  anxious  to  save,  and  M.  Senard,  who, 
like  the  other  gossips  and  misers,  imagined  that  Paris  would  be 
given  over  to  pillage,  determined  to  cover  up,  in  a  similar  way,  the 
most  precious  articles  in  his  shop.  It  was  agreed  that  the  riches 
of  the  pastor  and  those  of  the  jeweller  should  be  deposited  in  the 
same  hole.  But,  then,  who  was  to  dig  the  said  hole?  One  of  the 
singers  in  church  was  the  very  pearl  of  honest  fellows,  Father  Moise- 
let,  and  in  him  every  confidence  could  be  reposed.  He  would  not 
touch  a  penny  that  did  not  belong  to  him.  For  thirty  years,  in  his 
capacity  of  cooper,  he  had  the  exclusive  privilege  of  bottling  off 
the  wine  of  the  presbytery,  which  was  the  best  that  could  be  pro- 
cured. Churchwarden,  sexton,  butler,  ringer,  factotum  of  the 
church,  and  devoted  to  his  vicegerent,  for  whom  he  would  have 
risen  any  hour  of  the  night,  he  had  all  the  qualities  of  an  excellent 
servant,  without  including  his  discretion,  intelligence,  and  piety. 
In  so  serious  a  conjuncture  it  was  plain  that  they  could  not  fix 
better  than  on  Moiselet,  and  he  was  the  chosen  man.  The  hole, 
made  with  much  skill,  was  soon  ready  to  receive  the  treasure 


BURIED  RICHES.  379 

which  it  was  intended  to  preserve,  and  six  feet  of  earth  were  cast 
on  the  specie  of  the  cure,  to  which  were  united  diamonds  worth 
100,000  crowns,  belonging  to  M.  Senard,  and  enclosed  in  a  small 
box.  The  hollow  filled  up,  the  ground  was  so  well  flattened,  that 
one  would  have  betted  with  the  devil  that  it  had  not  been  stirred 
since  the  creation.  'This  good  Moiselet,'  said  M.  Senard,  rubbing 
his  hands,  '  has  done  it  all  admirably.  Now,  gentlemen  Cossacks, 
you  must  have  fine  noses  if  you  find  it  out !'  At  the  end  of  a  few 
days  the  allied  armies  made  farther  progress,  and  clouds  of  Kirghiz, 
Kalmucs,  and  Tartars,  of  all  hordes  and  all  colours,  appeared  in 
the  environs  of  Paris.  These  unpleasant  guests  are,  it  is  well 
known,  very  greedy  for  plunder  :  they  made,  everywhere,  great 
ravages ;  they  passed  no  habitation  without  exacting  tribute :  but 
in  their  ardour  for  pillage  they  did  not  confine  themselves  to  the 
surface — all  belonged  to  them,  to  the  centre  of  the  globe ;  and  that 
they  might  not  be  frustrated  in  their  pretensions,  these  intrepid 
geologists  made  a  thousand  excavations,  which,  to  the  regret  of 
the  naturalists  of  the  country,  proved  to  them  that  in  France  the 
mines  of  gold  or  silver  are  not  so  deep  as  in  Peru.  Such  a  dis- 
covery was  well  calculated  to  give  them  additional  energy  ;  they 
dug  with  unparalleled  activity,  and  the  spoil  they  found  in  many 
places  of  concealment  threw  the  Croesuses  of  many  cantons  into 
perfect  despair.  The  cursed  Cossacks  !  But  yet  the  instinct 
which  so  surely  led  them  to  the  spot  where  treasure  was  hidden 
did  not  guide  them  to  the  hiding-place  of  the  curd  It  was  like 
the  blessing  of  heaven :  each  morning  the  sun  rose  and  nothing  new; 
nothing  new  when  it  set. 

Most  decidedly  the  finger  of  God  must  be  recognised  in  the  im- 
penetrability of  the  mysterious  inhumation  performed  by  Moiselet. 
M.  Senard  was  so  fully  convinced  of  it,  that  he  actually  mingled 
thanksgivings  with  the  prayers  which  he  made  for  the  preservation 
and  repose  of  his  diamonds.  Persuaded  that  his  vows  would  be 
heard,  in  growing  security  he  began  to  sleep  more  soundly,  when 
one  fine  day,  which  was,  of  all  days  in  the  week,  a  Friday,  Moise- 
let, more  dead  than  alive,  ran  to  the  curb's. 

1  Ah,  sir,  I  can  scarcely  speak.' 

'  What's  the  matter,  Moiselet  ?' 

'  I  dare  not  tell  you.  Poor  M.  le  Cure*,  this  affects  me  deeply, 
I  am  paralyzed.  If  my  veins  were  opened,  not  a  drop  of  blood 
would  flow.' 

'  What  is  the  matter  ?    You  alarm  me.' 

•  The  hole.' 

'  Mercy  !  I  want  to  learn  no  more.  Oh,  what  a  terrible  scourge 
\s  war  !  Jeanneton,  Jeanneton,  come  quickly,  my  shoes  and  hat1 

'But,  sir,  you  have  not  breakfasted.' 


380  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

'  Oh,  never  mind  breakfast.' 

'You  know,  sir,  when  you  go  out  fasting  you  have  such 
spasms ' 

*  My  shoes,  I  tell  you.' 

*  And  then  you  complain  of  your  stomach.1 

*  I  shall  have  no  want  of  a  stomach  again  all  my  life.     Never 
any  more — no,  never — ruined  !' 

'  Ruined  ! — Jesus  Maria !  Is  it  possible  ?  Ah  !  sir,  run  then — 
run ' 

Whilst  the  curd  dressed  himself  in  haste,  and,  impatient  to 
buckle  the  strap,  could  scarcely  put  on  his  shoes,  Moiselet,  in  the 
most  lamentable  tone  imaginable,  told  him  what  he  had  seen. 

*  Are  you  sure  of  it  ?'  said  the  cure ;  *  perhaps  they  did  not 
take  all.' 

*  Ah,  sir,  God  grant  it;  but  I  had  not  courage  enough  to  look.' 
They  went  together  towards  the  old  barn,  when  they  found  that 

the  spoliation  had  been  complete.  Reflecting  on  the  extent  of  his 
loss,  the  cure  nearly  fell  to  the  ground.  Moiselet  was  in  a  most 
pitiable  state  ;  the  dear  man  afflicted  himself  more  than  if  the  loss 
had  been  his  own.  It  was  terrific  to  hear  his  sighs  and  groans. 
This  was  the  result  of  a  love  to  one's  neighbour.  M.  Senard  little 
thought  how  great  was  the  desolation  at  Livry.  What  was  his 
despair  on  receiving  the  news  of  the  event !  In  Paris  the  police  is 
the  providence  of  people  who  have  lost  anything.  The  first  idea, 
and  the  most  natural  one,  that  occurred  to  M.  Senard  was,  that 
the  robbery  had  been  committed  by  the  Cossacks,  and,  in  such  a 
case,  the  police  could  not  avail  him  materially ;  but  M.  Senard 
took  care  not  to  suspect  the  Cossacks. 

One  Monday  that  I  was  in  the  office  of  M.  Henry,  I  saw  one  of 
those  little  abrupt,  brisk  men  enter,  who,  at  the  first  glance,  we  are 
convinced  are  interested  and  distrustful :  it  was  M.  Senard,  who 
briefly  related  his  mishap,  and  concluded  by  saying  that  he  had 
strong  suspicions  of  Moiselet.  M.  Henry  thought  also  that  he  was 
the  author  of  the  robbery,  and  I  agreed  with  both.  '  It  is  very  well,' 
he  said,  '  but  still  our  opinion  is  only  founded  on  conjecture,  and  if 
Moiselet  keeps  his  own  counsel  we  shall  have  no  chance  of  con- 
victing him.  It  will  be  impossible.' 

*  Impossible  !'  cried  M.  Senard ;  '  what  will  become  of  me  ?  No, 
no,  I  shall  not  vainly  implore  your  succour.    Do  not  you  know  all  ? 
can  you  not  do  all  when  you  choose  ?     My  diamonds !  my  poor 
diamonds  !     I  will  give  one  hundred  thousand  francs  to  get  them 
back  again.' 

'  You  may  safely  offer  double,  for  if  the  robber  has  taken  due 
precautions,  we  can  do  nothing  in  the  business.' 

'Ah  !  sir,  you  drive  me  to  despair,'  replied  the  jeweller,  weeping 


MOISELET  ARRESTED.  381 

warm  tears,  and  throwing  himself  on  his  knees  before  the  chief  of 
the  division.  '  A  hundred  thousand  crowns'  worth  of  diamonds  ! 
if  I  must  lose  them,  I  shall  die  with  grief.  I  beseech  you  to  have 
pity  upon  me/ 

1  Have  pity — that  is  easy  for  you  to  ask  :  but  if  your  man  is  not 
excessively  crafty,  by  setting  some  skilful  agent  to  watch  and  cir- 
cumvent him,  we  may  perhaps  obtain  the  secret  from  him.' 

*  How  shall  I  evince  my  gratitude  to  you  ?      I  care  not  for 
money  :    fifty   thousand  francs  shall  be  the  reward  of  him  who 
succeeds.' 

'  Well,  Vidocq,  what  think  you  of  it  ?* 

'  The  affair  is  difficult/  I  answered  to  M.  Henry,  *  but  I  will 
undertake  it,  and  shall  not  be  surprised  if  I  come  out  of  it  with 
honour.' 

*  Ah  !'  said  M.  Senard,  squeezing  my  hand  affectionately,  '  you 
restore  me  to  life  ;  spare  nothing,  I  beseech  you,  Monsieur  Vidocq; 
go  to  any  expense  requisite  to  arrive  at  a  fortunate  result     My 
purse  is  open  to  you,  whatever  be  the  sacrifice.    Well,  do  you  think 
you  will  succeed  ?' 

'  Yes,  sir,  I  do.' 

'  Well,  recover  my  casket,  and  there  are  ten  thousand  francs  for 
you — yes,  ten  thousand  francs.  I  have  said  it,  and  will  not  recede 
from  my  word.' 

In  spite  of  the  successive  abatements  of  M.  Senard,  in  propor- 
tion as  he  believed  the  discovery  probable,  I  promised  to  exert 
every  effort  in  my  power  to  effect  the  desired  result.  But  before 
anything  could  be  undertaken,  it  was  necessary  that  a  formal  com- 
plaint should  be  made ;  and  M.  Senard  and  the  cure*  thereupon 
went  to  Pontoise,  and  the  declaration  being  consequently  made, 
and  the  robbery  stated,  Moiselet  was  taken  up  and  interrogated. 
They  tried  every  means  to  make  him  confess  his  guilt ;  but  he 
persisted  in  avowing  himself  innocent,  and,  for  lack  of  proof  to  the 
contrary,  the  charge  was  about  to  be  dropped  altogether,  when,  to 
preserve  it  for  a  time,  I  set  an  agent  of  mine  to  work.  He,  clothed 
in  a  military  uniform,  with  his  left  arm  in  a  sling,  went  with  a  billet 
to  the  house  where  Moiselet's  wife  lived.  He  was  supposed  to  have 
just  left  the  hospital,  and  was  only  to  stay  at  Livry  for  forty-eight 
hours  ;  but  a  few  moments  after  his  arrival,  he  had  a  fall,  and  a 
pretended  sprain  suddenly  occurred,  which  put  it  out  of  his  power 
to  continue  his  route.  It  was  then  indispensable  for  him  to  delay, 
and  the  mayor  decided  that  he  should  remain  with  the  cooper's 
wife  until  farther  orders. 

Madame  Moiselet  was  one  of  those  good,  jolly,  fat  personages, 
who  have  no  objection  to  living  under  the  same  roof  with  a  wounded 
conscript,  and  bore  all  the  joking  about  the  accident  which  delayed 


382  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

the  young  soldier  at  her  house ;  besides,  he  would  console  her  in 
her  husband's  absence,  and,  as  she  was  not  thirty-six  years  of  age, 
she  was  still  at  that  time  of  life  when  a  woman  does  not  despise 
consolation.  This  was  not  all — evil  tongues  reproached  Madame 
Moiselet  with  not  liking  wine — after  it  had  been  drunk  ;  that  was 
her  local  reputation  !  The  pretended  soldier  did  not  fail  to  caress 
all  the  weak  points  by  which  she  was  accessible  :  at  first  he  made 
himself  useful,  and  then,  to  complete  the  conciliation  of  the  good 
graces  of  his  hostess,  from  time  to  time  he  loosened  the  strings  of 
his  tolerably  well-filled  purse  to  pay  for  his  bottle  of  wine. 

The  cooper's  wife  was  charmed  with  so  many  little  attentions. 
The  soldier  could  write,  and  became  her  secretary;  but  the  letters 
which  she  addressed  to  her  dear  husband  were  of  a  nature  not  to 
compromise  her — not  the  least  expression  that  can  have  a  twofold 
construction — it  was  innocence  corresponding  with  innocence. 
The  secretary  pities  Madame  Moiselet  and  commiserates  the 
prisoner ;  and,  to  provoke  disclosures,  he  makes  a  parade  of  that 
extensive  morality  which  allows  of  every  means  of  enriching  one's 
self ;  but  Madame  was  too  deep  to  be  duped  by  such  language, 
and  constantly  on  her  guard.  At  length,  after  a  few  days'  experi- 
ence, I  was  convinced  that  my  agent,  in  spite  of  his  talent,  would 
draw  no  profit  from  his  mission.  I  then  resolved  to  manoeuvre  in 
person,  and,  disguised  as  a  travelling  hawker,  I  began  to  visit  the 
environs  of  Livry.  I  was  one  of  those  Jews  who  deal  in  every- 
thing— clothes,  jewels,  etc.,  etc.  ;  and  I  took  in  exchange  gold, 
silver,  jewels — in  fact,  all  that  was  offered  me.  An  old  female 
robber,  who  knew  the  neighbourhood  perfectly,  accompanied  me 
in  my  tour  :  she  was  the  widow  of  a  celebrated  thief,  Germain 
Boudier,  called  Father  Latuil,  who,  after  having  undergone  half 
a  dozen  sentences,  died  at  last  at  Saint  Pelagic.  She  had  been 
confined  for  sixteen  years  in  the  prison  of  Dourdans,  where  the 
semblance  of  modesty  and  devotion  which  she  assumed  had 
caused  her  to  be  called  the  Nun.  No  one  was  a  better  spy  over 
women,  or  could  easier  tempt  them  by  the  lures  of  ornaments 
and  gewgaws.  She  had  what  is  called  the  gift  of  the  gab  in  the 
highest  degree.  I  flattered  myself  that  Madame  Moiselet,  seduced 
by  her  eloquence,  and  by  our  merchandize,  would  bring  out  the 
store  of  the  cure's  crowns,  some  brilliant  of  the  purest  water,  nay, 
even  the  chalice  or  paten,  in  case  the  bargain  should  not  be  to  her 
liking.  My  calculation  was  not  verified ;  the  cooper's  wife  was  in 
no  haste  to  make  a  bargain,  and  her  coquetry  did  not  get  the 
better  of  her.  Madame  Moiselet  was  the  phoenix  of  women.  I 
admired  her;  and,  as  there  was  no  temptation  which  she  did  not 
resist,  convinced  that  I  should  lose  my  time  by  attempting  to  play 


IN  PRISON.  383 

any  stratagem  off  upon  her,  I  resolved  to  try  my  chance  with  her 
husband. 

The  Jew  hawker  was  soon  metamorphosed  into  a  German 
servant ;  and  under  this  disguise  I  began  to  ramble  about  the 
vicinity  of  Pontoise,  with  a  design  of  being  apprehended.  I 
sought  out  the  gendarmes,  whilst  I  pretended  to  avoid  them  ;  but 
they,  thinking  I  wished  to  get  away  from  them,  demanded  a  sight 
of  my  papers.  Of  course  I  had  none,  and  they  desired  me  to 
accompany  them  to  a  magistrate,  who,  knowing  nothing  of  the 
jargon  in  which  I  replied  to  his  questions,  desired  to  know  what 
money  I  had ;  and  a  search  was  forthwith  commenced  in  his  pre- 
sence. My  pockets  contained  some  money  and  valuables,  the 
possession  of  which  seemed  to  astonish  him.  The  magistrate,  as 
curious  as  a  commissary,  wished  to  know  how  they  came  into  my 
hands ;  I  sent  him  to  the  devil  with  two  or  three  Teutonic  oaths, 
of  the  most  polished  kind ;  and  he,  to  teach  me  better  manners 
another  time,  sent  me  to  prison. 

Once  more  the  iron  bolts  were  drawn  upon  me.  At  the  moment 
of  my  arrival,  the  prisoners  were  playing  in  the  prison-yard,  and 
the  gaoler  introduced  me  amongst  them  in  these  terms,  *  I  bring 
you  a  murderer  of  the  parts  of  speech ;  understand  him  if  you 
can.' 

They  immediately  flocked  about  me,  and  I  was  accosted  with 
salutations  of  Landsman  and  Meinheer  without  end.  During  this 
reception,  I  looked  out  for  the  cooper  of  Livry.  I  thought  he 
must  be  a  sort  of  clownish-looking  tradesman,  who,  joining  in  the 
concert  of  salutes  which  were  addressed  to  me,  had  called  me 
Landsman  in  that  soft,  silky  tone  which  is  always  acquired  by  those 
church  rats  who  are  wont  to  live  on  the  meats  of  the  altar.  He 
was  not  over  fat ;  but  that  was  constitutional  with  him,  and,  his 
leanness  apart,  he  was  glowing  with  health  :  he  had  a  narrow 
forehead,  small  brown  eyes  sunk  in  his  head,  an  enormous 
mouth,  and  although,  in  detailing  his  characteristics,  some  of  a 
very  sinister  kind  might  be  seen,  the  whole  had  that  gentle  air 
which  would  tempt  the  devil  to  open  the  gates  of  Paradise ;  be- 
sides, to  complete  the  portrait,  this  personage  was  at  least  four  or 
five  generations  behindhand  in  costume,  a  circumstance  which 
in  a  country  where  the  Gerontes  can  make  reputation  for  honesty, 
always  establishes  a  presumption  in  favour  of  the  individual. 

I  know  not  why  I  had  pictured  to  myself  that  Moiselet  should 
have  the  refinement  of  roguery,  which,  to  give  itself  the  appear- 
ance of  honesty,  and  to  conciliate  the  confidence  of  old  men, 
dresses  itself  like  them.  In  the  absence  of  other  more  character- 
istic signs,  a  pair  of  spectacles  on  a  prominent  nose,  large  buttons 
on  a  coat  of  light  hue  and  square  cut,  short  breeches,  a  three- 


384  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

cornered  hat  of  the  old  school,  and  clocked  stockings,  would  have 
instantly  attracted  my  attention.  The  air  and  face  were  cor- 
respondent, and  I  had  every  reason  to  believe  that  I  had  guessed 
correctly.  I  wished  to  assure  myself. 

'  Mossie,  MossieY  I  said,  addressing  the  prisoner,  who  seemed 
to  think  I  said  Moiselet,  c  now,  Mossie  Fine  Hapit '  (not  knowing 
his  name,  I  so  designated  him,  because  his  coat  was  the  colour  of 
flesh),  sacrement,  ter  teufle,  no  tongue  to  me ;  yer  Frangois,  I 
miserable,  I  trink  vine  ;  faut  trink  for  gelt,  plack  vine.' 

I  pointed  to  his  hat,  which  was  black ;  he  did  not  understand 
me ;  but  on  making  a  gesture  that  I  wanted  to  drink,  he  found  me 
perfectly  intelligible.  All  the  buttons  of  my  great  coat  were  twenty- 
franc  pieces  ;  I  gave  him  one :  he  asked  if  they  had  brought  the 
wine,  and  soon  afterwards  I  heard  a  turnkey  say : 

'  Father  Moiselet,  I  have  taken  up  two  bottles  for  you/  The 
flesh-coloured  coat  was  then  Moiselet.  I  followed  him  into  his 
room,  and  we  began  to  drink  with  all  our  might.  Two  other 
bottles  arrived :  we  only  went  on  in  couples.  Moiselet,  in  his 
capacity  of  chorister,  cooper,  sexton,  etc.,  etc.,  was  no  less  a  sot 
than  gossip ;  he  got  tipsy  with  great  goodwill,  and  incessantly 
spoke  to  me  in  the  jargon  I  had  assumed. 

'  I  like  the  German  much,'  said  he ;  *  you  can  remain  here,  my 
jolly  Kinserlique.'  And  the  gaoler  coming  in  to  drink  with  us,  he 
desired  him  to  make  me  a  bed  beside  his. 

1  Are  you  content,  Kinserlique  ?' 

*  As  content  as  you.' 

'  Do  you  trink  much  ?' 

*  I  trink  altimes.' 

'  Altimes  !  a  good  comrade  ;'  and  more  wine  was  ordered  in. 

Matters  progressed  well ;  after  two  or  three  hours  such  as  these, 
I  pretended  to  get  stupid.  Moiselet,  to  set  me  to  rights,  gave  me 
a  cup  of  coffee  without  sugar ;  after  coffee  came  glasses  of  water. 
No  one  can  conceive  the  care  which  my  new  friend  took  of  me ; 
but  when  drunkenness  is  of  such  a  nature  it  is  like  death — all 
care  is  useless.  Drunkenness  overpowered  me.  I  went  to  bed 
and  slept,  at  least  Moiselet  thought  so;  but  I  saw  him  many  times 
fill  my  glass  and  his  own,  and  gulp  them  both  down.  The  next 
day,  when  I  awoke,  he  paid  me  the  balance,  three  francs  and  fifty 
centimes,  which,  according  to  him,  remained  from  the  twenty-franc 
piece.  I  was  an  excellent  companion ;  Moiselet  found  me  so,  and 
never  quitted  me.  I  finished  the  twenty-franc  piece  with  him,  and 
then  produced  one  of  forty  francs,  which  vanished  as  quickly. 
When  he  saw  it  drunk  out  also,  he  feared  it  was  the  last. 

*  Your  button  again,'  said  he  to  me,  in  a  tone  of  extreme  anxiety, 
and  yet  very  comical. 


I  she 

tf«l-t  ^..i  *  ,-v.-3 


IN  PKSSON.  385 


I  showed  him  another  coin.  '  Ah,  your  large  button  again,'  he 
shouted  out,  jumping  for  joy. 

This  button  went  the  same  way  as  all  the  other  buttons,  until  at 
length,  by  dint  of  drinking  together,  Moiselet  understood  and  spoke 
my  language  almost  as  well  as  I  did  myself,  and  we  could  then  dis- 
close our  troubles  to  each  other.  Moiselet  was  very  curious  to 
know  my  history,  and  that  which  I  trumped  up  was  exactly  adapted 
to  inspire  the  confidence  I  wished  to  create. 

*  My  master  and  I  come  to  France — I  was  tomestic — master  of 
mein  Austrian  marechal — Austrian  with  de  gelt  in  family.    Master 
always  roving,  always  gay,  goint  regiment  at  Montreau.     Montreau, 
oh,  mein  Gott,  great,  great  pattle — many  sleep  no  more  but  in 
death.      Napoleon    coom — poum,   poum    go  gannon.      Prusse, 
Austrian,  Rousse,  all  disturb.     I,  too,  much  disturb.     Go  on  my 
ways  with  master  mein,  with  my  havresac  on  mein  horse — poor 
teufel  was  I — but  there  was  gelt  in  it.     Master  mein  say,  "  Galu^, 
Fritz."    I  called  Fritz  in  home  mein.    Fritz  galop  to  Pondi — there 
halt  Fritz — place  havresac  not  visible ;  and  if  I  get  again  to  Yar- 
many  with  havresac,  me  rich  becomen,  mistress  mein  rich,  father 
mein  rich,  you  too  rich.' 

Although  the  narrative  was  not  the  cleverest  in  the  world,  Father 
Moiselet  swallowed  it  all  as  gospel ;  he  saw  well  that,  during  the 
battle  of  Montereau,  I  had  fled  with  my  master's  portmanteau, 
and  hidden  it  in  the  forest  of  Bondy.  The  confidence  did  not 
astonish  him,  and  had  the  effect  of  acquiring  for  me  an  increase 
of  his  affection.  This  augmentation  of  friendship,  after  a  con- 
fession which  exposed  me  as  a  thief,  proved  to  me  that  he  had  an 
accommodating  conscience.  I  thenceforward  remained  convinced 
that  he  knew  better  than  any  other  person  what  had  become  of 
the  diamonds  of  M.  Senard,  and  that  it  only  depended  on  him  to 
give  me  full  and  accurate  information. 

One  evening,  after  a  good  dinner,  I  was  boasting  to  him  of  the 
delicacies  of  the  Rhine :  he  heaved  a  deep  sigh,  and  then  asked 
me  if  there  was  good  wine  in  that  country. 

'  Yes,  yes,'  I  answered,  '  goot  vine  and  charmong  girls.' 

*  Charming  girls  too  1' 

*  Ya,  ya !' 

*  Landsman,  shall  I  go  with  you  ?* 

*  Ya,  ya,  me  grat  content.' 

1  Ah,  you  content,  well !  I  quit  France,  yield  the  old  woman 
(he  showed  me  by  his  fingers  that  Madame  Moiselet  was  three- 
and-thirty),  and  in  your  land  I  take  little  girl  no  more  as  fifteen 
years.' 

*  Ya,  bien,  a  girl  no  infant :  a  !  you  is  a  brave  lad,.' 

25 


386  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

Moiselet  returned  more  than  once  to  his  project  of  emigration: 
he  thought  seriously  of  it,  but  to  emigrate  liberty  was  requisite,  and 
they  were  not  inclined  to  let  us  go  out.  I  suggested  to  him  that 
he  should  escape  with  me  on  the  first  opportunity — and  when  he 
had  promised  me  that  we  would  not  separate,  not  even  to  take  a 
last  adieu  of  his  wife,  I  was  certain  that  I  should  soon  have  him 
in  my  toils.  This  certainty  was  the  result  of  very  simple  reasoning. 
'  Moiselet,'  said  I  to  myself,  '  will  follow  me  to  Germany :  people  do 
not  travel  or  live  on  air :  he  relies  on  living  well  there  :  he  is  old, 
and,  like  King  Solomon,  proposes  to  tickle  his  fancy  with  some 
little  Abishag  of  Sunem.  Oh,  Father  Moiselet  has  found  the  black 
hen ;  here  he  has  no  money,  therefore  his  black  hen  is  not  here ; 
but  where  is  she  ?  We  shall  soon  learn,  for  we  are  to  be  hence- 
forward inseparable.' 

As  soon  as  my  man  had  made  all  his  reflections,  and  that,  with 
his  head  full  of  his  castles  in  Germany,  he  had  so  soon  resolved  to 
expatriate  himself,  I  addressed  to  the  king's  attorney-general  a 
letter,  in  which,  making  myself  known  as  the  superior  agent  of  the 
Police  de  Surete*,  I  begged  him  to  give  an  order  that  I  should  be 
sent  away  with  Moiselet,  he  to  go  to  Livry,  and  I  to  Paris. 

We  did  not  wait  long  for  the  order,  and  the  gaoler  announced  it 
to  us  on  the  eve  of  its  being  put  into  execution  ;  and  I  had  the 
night  before  me  to  fortify  Moiselet  in  his  resolutions.  He  per- 
sisted in  them  more  strongly  than  ever,  and  acceded  with  rapture 
to  the  proposition  I  made  him  of  our  effecting  an  escape  from  our 
escort  as  soon  as  it  was  possible. 

So  anxious  was  he  to  commence  his  journey,  that  he  could  not 
sleep.  At  daybreak,  I  gave  him  to  understand  that  I  took  him  for 
a  thief  as  well  as  myself. 

'  Ah,  ah,  grip  also,'  said  I  to  him,  {  deep,  deep  Frangois,  you 
not  spoken,  but  tief  all  as  von.' 

He  made  me  no  answer ;  but  when,  with  my  fingers  squeezed 
together  a  la  Normande,  he  saw  me  make  a  gesture  of  grasping 
something,  he  could  not  prevent  himself  from  smiling,  with  that 
bashful  expression  of  Yes,  which  he  had  not  courage  to  utter.  The 
hypocrite  had  some  shame  about  him,  the  shame  of  a  devotee.  I 
am  understood. 

At  length  the  wished-for  moment  of  departure  came,  which  was 
to  enable  us  to  accomplish  our  designs.  Moiselet  was  ready  three 
whole  hours  beforehand,  and  to  give  him  courage,  I  had  not 
neglected  to  push  about  the  wine  and  brandy,  and  he  did  not  leave 
the  prison  until  after  having  received  all  his  sacraments. 

We  were  tied  with  a  very  thin  cord,  and  on  our  way  he  made 
me  a  signal  that  there  would  be  no  difficulty  in  breaking  it.  He 
did  not  think  that  he  should  then  break  the  charm  which  had  till 


THE  TREASURE.  387 

then  preserved  him.  The  farther  we  went  on,  the  more  he  testified 
that  he  placed  his  hopes  of  safety  in  me :  at  each  minute  he  re- 
iterated a  prayer  that  I  would  not  abandon  him  ;  and  I  as  often 
replied,  'Ya,  Francois,  I  not  leave  you.'  At  length  the  decisive 
moment  came,  the  cord  was  broken.  I  leaped  a  ditch,  which 
separated  us  from  a  thicket.  Moiselet,  who  seemed  young  again, 
jumped  after  me  :  one  of  the  gendarmes  alighted  to  follow  us,  but 
to  run  and  jump  in  jack-boots  and  with  a  heavy  sword  was  diffi- 
cult ;  and  whilst  he  made  a  circuit  to  join  us,  we  disappeared  in  a 
hollow,  and  were  soon  lost  to  view. 

A  path  into  which  we  struck  led  us  to  the  wood  of  Vaujours. 
There  Moiselet  stopped,  and  having  looked  carefully  about  him, 
went  towards  some  bushes.  I  saw  him  then  stoop,  plunge  his  arm 
into  a  thick  tuft,  whence  he  took  out  a  spade  :  arising  quickly,  he 
went  on  some  paces  without  saying  a  word  ;  and  when  we  reached 
a  birch  tree,  several  of  the  boughs  of  which  I  observed  were  broken, 
he  took  off  his  hat  and  coat,  and  began  to  dig.  He  went  to  work 
with  so  much  goodwill,  that  his  labour  rapidly  advanced.  Sud- 
denly he  stooped  down,  and  then  escaped  from  him  that  ha  ! 
which  betokens  satisfaction,  and  which  informed  me,  without  the 
use  of  a  conjuror's  rod,  that  he  had  found  his  treasure.  I  thought 
the  cooper  would  have  fainted ;  but  recovering  himself,  he  made 
two  or  three  more  strokes  with  the  spade,  and  the  box  was  exposed 
to  view.  I  seized  on  the  instrument  of  his  toil,  and  suddenly 
changing  my  language,  declared  in  very  good  French,  that  he  was 
my  prisoner. 

'  No  resistance,'  I  said,  '  or  I  will  cleave  your  skull  in  two.' 

At  this  threat  he  seemed  in  a  dream  ;  but  when  he  knew  that 
he  was  gripped  by  that  iron  hand  which  has  subdued  the  most 
vigorous  malefactors,  he  was  convinced  that  it  was  no  vision. 
Moiselet  was  as  quiet  as  a  lamb.  I  had  sworn  not  to  leave  him, 
and  kept  my  word.  During  the  journey  to  the  station  of  the  brigade 
of  gendarmerie,  where  I  deposited  him,  he  frequently  cried  out, 

4 1  am  done — who  could  have  thought  it  ?  and  he  had  such  a 
simple  look  too  !' 

At  the  assizes  of  Versailles,  Moiselet  was  sentenced  to  six 
months'  solitary  confinement. 

M.  Senard  was  overpowered  with  joy  at  having  recovered  his 
hundred  thousand  crowns'  worth  of  diamonds.  Faithful  to  his 
system  of  abatement,  he  reduced  the  reward  one-half;  and  still 
there  was  difficulty  in  getting  five  thousand  francs  from  him,  out 
of  which  I  had  been  compelled  to  expend  more  than  two  thousand: 
in  fact,  at  one  moment  I  really  thought  I  should  have  been  com- 
pelled to  bear  the  expenses  myself. 

25— a 


388  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

The  stolen  looking-glasses — The  Turk  and  his  odalisques—General  Boucher- 
Little  Saint  Jean — The  grand  uniform,  and  the  bank  notes — Capture  of 
twenty-two  thieves — What  it  is  to  be  knowing — The  almoner  of  the  regi- 
ment— Surprise  at  the  Cafe  Hardi — I  go  to  the  Tuileries— A  great  lord — 
The  director  of  the  police  of  the  Chateau — Assassination  of  the  Due  de 
Berri — The  robber-giant — A  scene  of  Madame  de  Genlis — I  become 
accoucheur — Baptism  of  the  child — My  gossip  at  St.  Lazare — The  thieves' 
alley — The  dangerous  doctor — Old  friends — A  dinner  at  Capucin — The  trap 
— The  Bohemians — An  exploit  at  a  duchess's — The  moral  hump-backed  lady 
— Fair  of  Versailles — Disturbed  rest  of  a  milliner — Love  and  tyranny — 
Scenes  of  jealousy — I  vanish. 

A  SHORT  time  after  the  difficult  affair  which  proved  so  fatal  to  the 
cooper,  I  was  employed  to  detect  the  authors  of  a  nocturnal  rob- 
bery, committed  by  climbing  and  forcible  entry  in  the  apartments 
of  the  Prince  de  Conde,  in  the  Palace  Bourbon.  Glasses  of  a  vast 
size  had  disappeared,  and  their  abstraction  was  effected  with  so 
much  precaution,  that  the  sleep  of  two  Cerberi^  who  supplied  the 
place  of  a  watchman,  had  not  been  for  a  moment  disturbed.  The 
frames  in  which  these  glasses  had  been  were  not  at  all  injured ; 
and  I  was  at  first  tempted  to  believe  that  they  had  been  taken  out 
by  looking-glass  makers  or  cabinet-makers ;  but  in  Paris  these 
workmen  are  so  numerous,  that  I  could  not  pitch  on  any  one  of 
them  whom  I  knew  with  any  certainty  of  suspicion.  Yet  I  was 
resolved  to  detect  the  guilty,  and  to  effect  this  I  commenced  my 
inquiries. 

The  keeper  of  the  sculpture-gallery,  near  the  quincaux  of  the 
invalids,  gave  me  the  first  information  by  which  I  was  guided. 
About  three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  he  had  seen  near  his  door 
several  glasses,  in  the  care  of  a  young  man,  who  pretended  to  have 
been  obliged  to  station  them  there  whilst  waiting  for  the  return  of 
his  porters,  who  had  broken  their  hand-barrow.  Two  hours  after- 
wards, the  young  man,  having  found  two  messengers,  had  made 
them  carry  off  the  glasses,  and  had  directed  them  to  the  side  of  the 
fountain  of  the  invalids.  According  to  the  keeper,  the  person  h<- 
saw  was  about  twenty-three  years  of  age,  and  about  five  feet  an; 
an  inch  (French  measure).  He  was  clothed  in  an  iron-grey  grer 
coat,  and  had  a  very  good  countenance  This  information  w;v 
not  immediately  useful  to  me,  but  it  led  me  to  find  the  messengei 
who,  the  day  after  the  robbery,  had  carried  some  glasses  of  large 
size  to  the  Rue  Saint-Dominique,  and  left  them  at  the  little  Hotel 
Caraman.  These  were,  in  all  probability,  the  glasses  stolen,  and 
if  they  were,  who  could  say  that  they  had  not  changed  domicile 
and  owner  ?  I  had  the  person  who  had  received  them  pointed 
out  to  me,  and  determined  on  introducing  myself  to  her ;  and  that 
my  presence  might  not  inspire  her  with  fear,  it  was  in  the  guise  of 


THE  LOOKING-GLASS  SETTER.  389 

a  cook  that  I  introduced  myself  to  her  notice.  The  light  jacket 
and  cotton  nightcap  are  the  ensigns  of  the  profession ;  I  clothed 
myself  in  such  attire,  and  fully  entering  into  the  spirit  of  my 
character,  went  to  the  little  Hotel  de  Caraman,  where  I  ascended 
to  the  first  floor.  The  door  was  closed :  I  knocked,  and  it  was 
opened  to  me  by  a  very  good-looking  young  fellow,  who  asked  me 
what  I  wanted.  I  gave  him  an  address,  and  told  him  that  having 
learnt  that  he  was  in  want  of  a  cook,  I  had  taken  the  liberty  of 
offering  my  services  to  him. 

*  My  dear  fellow,  you  are  under  a  mistake,'  he  replied,  '  the 
address  you  have  given  me  is  not  mine,  but  as  there  are  two  Rues 
Saint-Dominique,  it  is  most  probably  to  the  other  that  you  should 

go-' 

All  Ganymedes  have  not  been  carried  off  to  Olympus,  and  the 
handsome  youth  who  spoke  to  me  had  manners,  gestures,  and 
language,  which,  united  to  his  appearance,  convinced  me  in  an 
instant  with  whom  my  business  lay.  I  instantly  assumed  the  tone 
of  an  initiate  in  the  mysteries  of  the  ultra-philanthropists,  and 
after  some  signs  which  he  perfectly  understood,  I  told  him  how 
very  sorry  I  was  that  he  did  not  want  me. 

*  Ah,  sir/  I  said  to  him,  *  I  would  rather  remain  with  you,  even 
if  you  only  gave  me  half  what  I  should  get  elsewhere ;  if  you 
only  knew  how  miserable  I  am  ;  I  have  been  six  months  out  of 
place,  and  I  do  not  get  a  dinner  every  day.     Would  you  believe 
that  thirty-six  hours  have  elapsed,  and  I  have  not  taken  anything  ?' 

'  You  pain  me,  my  good  fellow ;  what,  are  you  still  fasting  ? 
Come,  come,  you  shall  dine  here.' 

I  had  really  an  appetite  capable  of  giving  the  lie  I  had  just 
uttered  all  the  semblance  of  truth ;  a  two-pound  loaf,  half  a  fowl, 
cheese,  and  a  bottle  of  wine,  which  he  produced,  did  not  make 
long  sojourn  on  the  table.  Once  filled,  I  began  again  to  talk  of 
my  unfortunate  condition. 

*  See,  sir/  said  I,  '  if  it  be  possible  to  be  in  a  more  pitiable  situa- 
tion.    I  know  four  trades,  and  out  of  the  whole  four  cannot  get 

mploy  in  one,  tailor,  hatter,  cook  ;  I  know  a  little  of  all,  and  yet 
cannot  get  on.  My  first  start  was  as  a  looking-glass  setter.' 

'  A  looking-glass  setter  !'  said  he  abruptly  ;  and  without  giving 
him  time  to  reflect  on  the  imprudence  of  such  an  exclamation,  I 
went  on  : 

'  Yes,  a  looking-glass  setter,  and  I  know  that  trade  the  best  of 
the  four  ;  but  business  is  so  dead,  that  there  is  really  nothing  now 
stirring  in  it' 

*  Here,  my  friend,'  said  the  young  man,  presenting  to  me  a  small 
glass,  '  this  is  brandy,  it  will  do  you  good ;  you  know  not  how 
much  you  interest  me  ;  I  can  give  you  work  for  several  days.' 


390  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

*  Ah !  sir,  you  are  too  good,  you  restore  me  to  life ;  how,  if  you 
please,  do  you  intend  to  employ  me  ?' 

'  As  a  looking-glass  framer.' 

*  If  you  have  glasses  to  fit,  pier,  Psyche,  light  of  day,  joy  of 
Narcissus,  or  any  others,  you  have  only  to  intrust  me  with  them, 
and  I  will  give  you  a  cast  of  my  craft.' 

'  I  have  glasses  of  great  beauty ;  they  were  at  my  country  house, 
whence  I  sent  for  them,  lest  the  gentlemen  Cossacks  should  take 
a  fancy  to  break  them.' 

'  You  did  quite  right ;  but  may  I  see  them  ? 

4  Yes,  my  friend.' 

He  took  me  into  a  room,  and  at  the  first  glance  I  recognised 
the  glasses  of  the  Palais  Bourbon.  I  was  ecstatic  in  their  praise, 
their  size,  etc. ;  and  after  having  examined  them  with  the  minute 
attention  of  a  man  who  understands  what  he  is  about,  I  praised 
the  skill  of  the  workman  who  unframed  them,  without  injury  to 
the  silvering. 

'  The  workman,  my  friend,'  said  he,  *  the  workman  was  myself ; 
I  would  not  allow  any  other  person  to  touch  them,  not  even  to  load 
them  in  the  carriage.' 

*  Ah  !  sir,  I  am  very  sorry  to  give  you  the  lie,  but  what  you  tell 
me  is  impossible ;  a  man  must  have  been  a  workman  to  undertake 
such  work,  and  even  the  best  he  of  the  craft  might  not  have  suc- 
ceeded.' 

In  spite  of  my  observation,  he  persisted  in  asserting  that  he  had 
no  help,  and  as  it  would  not  have  answered  my  purpose  to  have 
contradicted  him,  I  dropped  the  subject. 

A  lie  was  an  accusation  at  which  he  might  have  been  angry,  but 
he  did  not  speak  with  less  amenity,  and  after  having  given  me  his 
instructions,  desired  me  to  come  early  next  day,  and  begin  my 
work  as  early  as  possible. 

'  Do  not  forget  to  bring  your  diamond,  as  I  wish  you  to  remove 
those  arches,  which  are  no  longer  fashionable.' 

He  had  no  more  to  say  to  me,  and  I  had  no  more  to  learn.  I 
left  him,  and  went  to  join  my  two  agents,  to  whom  I  gave  the  de- 
scription of  the  person,  and  desired  them  to  follow  him  if  he 
should  go  out.  A  warrant  was  necessary  to  effect  his  apprehen- 
sion, which  I  procured,  and  soon  afterwards,  having  changed  my 
dress,  I  returned  with  the  commissary  of  police,  and  my  agents  to 
the  house  of  the  amateur  of  glasses,  who  did  not  expect  me  so 
soon.  He  did  not  know  me  at  first,  and  it  was  only  at  the  termi- 
nation of  our  search,  that,  examining  me  more  closely,  he  said  to 
me : — 

'  I  think  I  recognise  you  ;  are  you  not  a  cook  ?' 


MARECHAL  BOUCHER.  391 

t  Yes,  sir,'  I  replied ;  '  I  am  cook,  tailor,  hatter,  looking-glass 
setter,  and,  moreover,  a  spy,-at  your  service.' 

My  coolness  so  much  disconcerted  him,  that  he  could  not  utter 
another  word. 

This  gentleman  was  named  Alexandre  Paruitte.  Besides  the 
two  glasses,  and  two  chimeras  in  gilt  bronze,  which  he  had  stolen 
from  the  Palais  Bourbon,  many  other  articles  were  found  in  his 
apartments,  the  produce  of  various  robberies.  The  inspectors 
who  had  accompanied  me  in  this  expedition  undertook  to  conduct 
Paruitte  to  the  depot,  but,  on  the  way,  were  careless  enough  to 
allow  him  to  escape,  nor  was  it  until  ten  days  afterwards  that  I 
contrived  to  get  sight  of  him,  at  the  gate  of  the  ambassador  of 
his  highness  the  Sultan  Mahmoud,  and  I  apprehended  him  at  the 
moment  he  got  into  the  carriage  of  a  Turk,  who  apparently  had 
sold  his  odalisques. 

I  am  still  at  a  loss  to  explain  how,  in  spite  of  obstacles,  which 
the  most  expert  robbers  judged  insurmountable,  Paruitte 
effected  the  robbery  which  twice  compelled  me  to  see  him.  He 
was  steadfast  in  his  assertion  of  having  no  companions,  for  on  his 
trial,  when  sentenced  to  irons  and  imprisonment,  no  indication, 
not  even  the  slightest,  could  be  elicited,  encouraging  the  idea  that 
he  had  any  participators. 

About  the  time  when  Paruitte  carried  off  the  glasses  from  the 
Palais  Bourbon,  some  thieves  effected  an  entrance  in  the  Rue  de 
Richelieu,  No.  17,  in  the  Hotel  de  Valois,  when  they  carried  off 
considerable  property,  belonging  to  Marechal  Boucher,  valued  at 
thirty  thousand  francs.  All  was  fish  that  came  to  the  net,  from  the 
plain  cotton  handkerchief  to  the  glittering  uniform  of  the  general. 
These  gentlemen,  accustomed  to  clear  off  all  before  them,  had 
even  carried  off  the  linen  intended  for  the  laundress.  This  system, 
which  has  its  rise  in  a  desire  not  to  leave  a  fraction  of  anything  to 
the  person  robbed,  is  very  dangerous  for  the  thieves,  for  it  com- 
pels them  to  make  minute  researches,  and  occasions  delays  which 
sometimes  terminate  most  unpropitiously.  But  on  this  occasion 
they  had  worked  with  perfect  security  ;  the  presence  of  the  general 
in  his  apartment  had  been  a  guarantee  that  they  would  not  be 
troubled  in  their  enterprise,  and  they  had  emptied  the  wardrobes 
and  trunks  with  the  same  security  as  a  broker  who  is  making  an 
inventory  after  a  death.  How,  I  shall  be  asked,  could  the  general 
be  present  ?  Alas  !  he  was — but  when  one  plays  an  active  part  at 
a  good  dinner,  can  the  result  be  doubted  !  Without  hatred,  with- 
out fear,  without  suspicion,  we  pass  gaily  from  Beaune  to  Cham- 
bertin,  from  Chambertin  to  Clos-Vougeot,  from  Clos-Vougeot  to 
Romance;  then,  after  having  thus  overrun  all  the  wines  of  Bur- 
gundy and  discussing  their  various^  merits,  we  come  to  champagne 


392  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOC& 

and  the  flatulent  At,  and  but  too  happy  is  that  guest  who,  full  of 
the  joys  of  the  delicious  pilgrimage,  does  not  get  so  far  muddled 
as  to  be  unable  to  find  his  way  home.  The  general,  after  a 
banquet  of  this  kind,  had  still  preserved  his  reasoning  powers 
entire,  at  least  I  think  so,  but  had  returned  excessively  sleepy ; 
and  as  in  that  state  one  is  more  anxious  to  tumble  into  bed  than 
to  close  a  window,  he  had  left  his  open  for  the  convenience  of 
comers  and  goers.  What  imprudence  !  I  know  not  if  he  had 
agreeable  dreams,  but  I  remember,  that  in  his  statement  of  the 
transaction,  he  deposed  that  he  had  awakened  from  his  sleep  like 
a  little  St.  John. 

I  was  very  desirous  of  detecting  the  insolents  who  had  perpe- 
trated a  robbery  attended  with  circumstances  so  aggravating.  In 
the  absence  of  all  indications  by  which  I  might  endeavour  to  trace 
a  path  for  myself,  I  allowed  myself  to  be  led  by  that  inspiration 
which  has  so  seldom  deceived  me.  The  idea  suddenly  struck  me, 
that  the  thieves  who  had  introduced  themselves  at  the  general's 
might  belong  to  the  gang  of  one  Perrin,  a  blacksmith,  who  had 
long  been  pointed  out  to  me  as  a  most  audacious  fence.  I  began 
by  surveying  the  approaches  to  Perrin's  domicile,  which  was  in  the 
Rue  de  la  Sonnerie,  No.  i  ;  but  after  several  days'  watching, 
nothing  occurred  to  guide  me,  and  I  felt  convinced  that  to  arrive 
at  any  satisfactory  result  I  must  have  recourse  to  a  stratagem. 

I  could  not  go  direct  to  Perrin,  as  he  knew  me,  but  I  instructed 
one  of  my  agents,  who  would  not  be  suspected.  He  went  to  see 
him,  and  they  conversed  on  various  topics ;  at  length  touching  on 
robberies, — 

T  faith,'  said  Perrin,  'no  bold  hits  are  now  made.' 

'  What  do  you  mean  ?'  replied  the  agent.  '  I  think  those  who 
were  at  the  general's,  in  the  Hotel  de  Valois,  have  no  cause  for 
complaint ;  when  I  learn  that  in  his  full-dress  uniform  there  was 
concealed  a  sum  of  twenty-five  thousand  francs  in  bank-notes.' 

Perrin  had  so  much  cupidity  and  avarice,  that  if  he  had  been 
possessor  of  the  dress,  this  lie,  which  revealed  to  him  riches  of 
which  he  had  not  dreamt,  would  necessarily  make  an  impression 
of  joy,  which  he  would  be  unable  to  dissemble ;  if  the  uniform  had 
passed  into  other  hands,  and  he  had  already  disposed  of  it,  a  con- 
trary feeling  would  betray  itself.  I  had  foreseen  the  alternative. 
Perrin's  eyes  did  not  sparkle,  no  smile  was  seen  upon  his  lips  :  in 
vain  did  he  seek  to  disguise  his  trouble,  the  feeling  of  his  loss  so 
sorely  smote  him  that  he  began  to  dash  the  floor  with  his  foot,  and 
tear  his  hair  most  furiously  :  c  Ah,  mon  Dieu,  mon  Dieu  !'  he 
cried,  '  these  events  always  befall  me,  must  I  be  for  ever  wretched  ?* 

'  Well,  what  do  you  mean  ?     Did  you  buy  it  ?' 

'Yes,  yes,  I  bought  it,  as  you  ask  me,  but  I  sold  it  again.' 


A  CLEVER  DETECTION.  393 

*  Do  you  know  to  whom  f 

'  Certainly  I  do  :  to  a  man  in  the  Rue  Feydeau,  that  he  might 
burn  the  lace.' 

'  Oh,  do  not  despair ;  there  is  a  remedy  still  left,  if  the  melter  be 
an  honest  man.' 

Perrin  gave  a  jump.  *  Twenty-five  thousand  francs  burnt ! 
Twenty-five  thousand  francs  !  That  is  not  picked  up  every  day ; 
why  was  I  in  such  haste  about  it?' 

'  Well,  if  I  were  you,  I  should  try  to  get  back  the  embroidery 
before  it  is  put  in  the  melting-pot.  If  you  like,  I  will  go  to  the 
melter,  and  tell  him  that,  having  had  a  good  offer  for  it  from  one 
of  the  theatres,  you  are  desirous  of  buying  it  back  again.  I  will 
offer  him  a  premium,  and  probably  he  will  not  make  any  difficulty 
about  it.' 

Perrin  thought  the  plan  admirable,  accepted  the  proposition 
eagerness,  and  the  agent,  desirous  of  rendering  him  a  service, 
ran  to  give  me  an  account  of  what  had  passed.  Then,  taking 
search-warrants,  I  made  a  descent  upon  the  melter.  The  em- 
broidery was  untouched ;  I  gave  them  to  the  agent  to  convey  to 
Perrin,  and  at  the  instant  when  he,  impatient  to  seize  on  the  notes, 
gave  the  first  cut  with  his  scissors  to  release  the  presumed  treasure, 
I  appeared  with  the  commissary.  We  found  at  Perrin's  evidences 
of  the  illicit  trade  which  he  carried  on ;  an  abundance  of  stolen 
property  was  found  in  his  stores.  Conducted  to  the  depot,  he 
was  examined  ;  but,  at  first,  only  gave  very  vague  replies,  whence 
no  intelligence  could  be  collected. 

After  his  imprisonment  in  La  Force,  I  went  to  see  him,  and  ask 
him  for  information,  but  could  only  get  from  him  some  few  indi- 
cations ;  he  knew  not,  he  asserted,  the  names  of  the  persons  who 
constantly  dealt  with  him.  However,  the  little  he  told  me  aided 
me  in  forming  suspicions.  I  had  a  considerable  number  of  sus- 
picious characters  marched  out  before  him,  and,  on  his  detection 
of  them,  they  were  put  on  their  trials.  Twenty-two  were  sentenced 
to  irons,  and  amongst  them  was  one  of  the  authors  of  the  robbery 
on  General  Boucher.  Perrin  was  tried  and  convicted  of  receiving 
the  stolen  booty,  but  in  consequence  of  the  utility  of  the  informa- 
tion he  had  given,  only  the  minimum  of  punishment  was  pro- 
nounced against  him. 

A  short  'time  afterwards,  two  other  fences,  the  brothers  Perrot, 
in  the  hopes  of  clemency  from  the  judge,  followed  the  example  of 
Perrin,  not  only  in  making  confessions,  but  deciding  several  other 
prisoners  or  pointing  out  their  accomplices.  From  their  state- 
ments I  brought  into  the  power  of  justice  two  famous  robbers, 
named  Valentin  and  Rigaudi,  alias  Grindesi. 

Never,  perhaps,  were  there  so  many  of  those  gentry,  who  unite 


394  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

the  professions  of  thief  and  chevalier  ^Industrie,  as  in  the  yeai  of 
the  first  restoration.  One  of  the  most  skilful  and  most  enterprising 
was  Winter  de  Sarre-Louis. 

Winter  was  only  twenty-six,  and  was  one  of  those  handsome 
brown  fellows,  whose  arched  eye-brows,  long  lashes,  prominent 
nose,  and  rakish  air,  have  such  charms  for  a  certain  class  of 
females.  Winter  had,  moreover,  that  good  carriage,  and  peculiar 
look,  which  belong  to  an  officer  of  light  cavalry,  and  he  therefore 
assumed  a  military  costume,  which  best  displayed  the  graces  of  his 
person.  One  day  he  was  an  hussar,  the  next  a  lancer,  and  then 
again  in  some  fancy  uniform.  At  will  he  was  chief  of  a  squadron, 
commandant,  aide-de-camp,  colonel,  etc. ;  and  to  command  more 
consideration,  he  did  not  fail  to  give  himself  a  respectable  parent- 
age ;  he  was  by  turns  the  son  of  the  valiant  Lasalle,  of  the  gallant 
Winter,  colonel  of  the  grenadiers  of  the  imperial  horse-guard; 
nephew  of  the  general  Comte  de  Lagrange,  and  cousin-german  to 
Rapp ;  in  fact,  there  was  no  name  which  he  did  not  borrow,  no 
illustrious  family  to  which  he  did  not  belong.  Born  of  parents  in 
a  decent  situation  of  life,  Winter  had  received  an  education  suffi- 
ciently brilliant  to  enable  him  to  aspire  to  all  these  metamorphoses; 
the  elegance  of  his  manner,  and  a  most  gentlemanly  appearance, 
completed  the  illusion. 

Few  men  had  made  a  better  debut  than  Winter.  Thrown  early 
into  the  career  of  arms,  he  obtained  very  rapid  promotion ;  but 
when  an  officer  he  soon  lost  the  esteem  of  his  superiors ;  who,  to 
punish  his  misconduct,  sent  him  to  the  Isle  of  Re",  to  one  of  the 
colonial  battalions.  There  he  so  conducted  himself  as  to  inspire 
a  belief  that  he  had  entirely  reformed.  But  no  sooner  was  he 
raised  a  step,  than,  committing  some  fresh  peccadillo,  he  was  com- 
pelled to  desert  in  order  to  avoid  punishment  He  came  thence 
to  Paris,  where  his  exploits  as  swindler  and  pickpocket  procured 
him  the  unenviable  distinction  of  being  pointed  out  to  the  police 
as  one  of  the  most  skilful  in  his  twofold  profession. 

Winter,  who  was  what  is  termed  a  downy  cove,  plucked  a  multi- 
tude of  pigeons  even  in  the  most  elevated  classes  of  society.  He 
visited  princes,  dukes,  the  sons  of  ancient  senators,  and  it  was  on 
them  or  the  ladies  of  their  circle  that  he  made  the  experiments 
of  his  mis-applied  talents.  The  females,  particularly,  however 
squeamish  they  were,  were  never  sufficiently  so  to  prevent  them- 
selves from  being  plundered  by  him.  For  several  months  the 
police  were  on  the  lookout  for  this  seducing  young  man,  who, 
changing  his  dress  and  abode  incessantly,  escaped  from  their  clutch 
at  the  moment  when  they  thought  they  had  him  securely,  when  I 
received  orders  to  commence  the  chase  after  him,  to  attempt  his 
capture. 


WINTER.  395 

Winter  was  one  of  those  Lovelaces  who  never  deceive  a  woman 
without  robbing  her.  I  thought  that  amongst  his  victims  I  could 
find  at  least  one  who,  from  a  spirit  of  revenge,  would  be  disposed 
to  put  me  on  the  scent  of  this  monster.  By  dint  of  searching,  I 
thought  I  had  met  with  a  willing  auxiliary,  but  as  these  Ariadnes, 
however  ill-used  or  forsaken  they  may  be,  yet  shrink  from  the  im- 
molation of  their  betrayer,  I  determined  to  accost  the  damsel  I 
met  with  cautiously.  It  was  necessary,  before  I  ventured  my  bark, 
to  take  soundings,  and  I  took  care  not  to  manifest  any  hostility  to- 
wards Winter,  and  not  to  alarm  that  residue  of  tenderness  which, 
despite  ill-usage,  always  remain  in  a  sensitive  heart.  I  made  my 
appearance  in  the  character  of  almoner  of  the  regiment  which  he 
was  thought  to  command,  and  as  such  introduced  to  the  ci-devant 
mistress  of  the  pretended  colonel.  The  costume,  the  language, 
the  manner  I  assumed  were  in  perfect  unison  with  the  character  I 
was  about  to  play,  and  I  obtained  to  my  wish  the  confidence  of 
the  fair  forsaken  one,  who  gave  me  unwittingly  all  the  information 
I  required.  She  pointed  out  to  me  her  favoured  rival,  who,  already 
ill-treated  by  Winter,  had  still  the  weakness  to  see  him,  and  could 
not  forbear  making  fresh  sacrifices  for  him. 

I  became  acquainted  with  this  charming  lady,  and  to  obtain 
favour  in  her  eyes,  announced  myself  as  a  friend  of  her  lover's 
family.  The  relatives  of  the  young  giddy  pate  had  empowered 
me  to  pay  his  debts  ;  and  if  she  could  contrive  an  interview  with 
him  for  me,  she  might  rely  on  being  satisfied  with  the  result  of  the 
first.  Madame  ***  was  not  sorry  to  have  an  opportunity  of  re- 
pairing the  dilapidations  made  on  her  property,  and  one  morning 
she  sent  me  a  note,  stating  that  she  was  going  to  dine  with  her 
lover  the  next  day  at  the  Boulevard  du  Temple,  at  La  Galiote. 
At  four  o'clock  T  went,  disguised  as  a  messenger,  and  stationed 
myself  at  the  door  of  the  restaurant ;  and  after  two  hours'  watch, 
I  saw  a  colonel  of  hussars  approach.  It  was  Winter,  attended  by 
two  servants.  I  went  up  to  him,  and  offered  to  take  care  of  the 
horses,  which  proffer  was  accepted.  Winter  alighted,  he  could  not 
escape  me,  but  his  eyes  met  mine,  and  with  one  jump  he  flung 
himself  on  his  horse,  spurred  him,  and  disappeared. 

I  thought  I  had  him,  and  my  disappointment  was  great ;  but  I 
did  not  despair  of  catching  my  gentleman.  Sometime  afterwards 
I  learnt  that  he  was  to  be  at  the  Cafe'  Hardi,  in  the  Boulevard  des 
Italiens.  I  went  thither  with  some  of  my  agents,  and  when  he 
arrived  all  was  so  well  arranged,  that  he  had  only  to  get  into  a 
hackney-coach,  of  which  I  paid  the  fare.  Led  before  a  commis- 
sary of  police,  he  asserted  that  he  was  not  Winter ;  but,  despite 
the  insignia  of  the  rank  he  had  conferred  on  himself,  and  the  long 
string  of  orders  hanging  on  his  breast,  he  was  properly  and  officially 


396  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

identified  as  the  individual  mentioned  in  the  warrant  which  I  had 
for  his  apprehension. 

Winter  was  sentenced  to  eight  years'  imprisonment,  and  would 
now  be  at  liberty  but  for  a  forgery  which  he  committed  while  at 
Bicetre,  which  bringing  on  him  a  fresh  sentence  of  eight  years  at 
the  galleys,  he  was  conducted  to  the  Bagne  at  the  expiration  of 
his  original  sentence,  and  is  there  at  present. 

This  adventurer  does  not  want  wit :  he  is,  I  am  told,  the  author 
of  a  great  many  songs,  much  in  fashion  with  the  galley-slaves,  who 
consider  him  as  their  Anacreon.  I  append  one  of  his  produc- 
tions : — 

'  Happy  the  days  vhen  I  vorked  avay, 

In  my  usual  line  in  the  prigging  lay  ; 

Making  from  this  and  that  and  t'other, 

A  tidy  living  without  no  bother. 

When  my  little  crib  vas  stored  vith  swag, 

And  my  cly  (a)  vas  a  veil-lined  money-bag. 

Jolly  vas  I,  for  I  feared  no  evil, 

Funked  (b)  at  nought,  and  pitched  care  to  the  deviL 

•  I  had,  besides  my  blunt,  my  blowen, 

'  So  gay,  so  nutty  (c),  and  so  knowing  ;' 

On  the  wery  best  of  grub  (d)  we  lived, 

And  sixpence  a  quartern  for  gin  I  gived  : 

My  toggs  (e)  was  the  sporting'st  blunt  could  buy, 

And  a  slap  up  out-and-outer  was  I. 

Vith  my  mot  on  my  arm,  and  my  tile  on  my  head, 

That  ere's  a  gemman  every  von  said. 

•  A-coming  avay  from  Wauxhall  von  night, 
I  cleared  out  a  muzzy  covey  (/)  quite  ; 
He'd  been  a-strutting  avay  like  a  king, 
And  on  his  digit  (g)  he  sported  a  ring, 

A  di'mond  sparkle,  flash,  and  knowing. 
Thinks  I,  I'll  vatch  the  vay  he's  going, 
And  fleece  my  gemman  neat  and  clever, 
Or,  at  least,  I'll  try  my  best  endeavour. 

"  A'ter  the  singing  and  firevorks  vas  ended, 
I  follows  my  gemman  the  vay  he  bended  ; 
In  a  dark  corner  I  trips  up  his  heels, 
Then  for  his  tattler  and  reader  I  feels  ; 
I  pouches  his  blunt,  and  I  draws  his  ring, 
Prigged  his  buckles  and  everything, 
And  saying,  "  I  thinks  as  you  can't  follow,  man,* 
I  pikes  me  off  to  Ikey  Solomon  (h). 

•  Then  it  happened  d'ye  see  that  my  mot, 
Yellow  (*")  a-bit  'bout  the  swag  I'd  got, 
Thinking  that  I  should  jeer  and  laugh, 
Although  I  never  tips  no  chaff  (/), 

(a)  Pocket.  (b)  Feared.  (c)  Fond.  (d)  Victuals. 

(t)  Clothes.  (/)  Half-tipsy  gentleman.  (g)  Finger. 

(h)  A  celebrated  fence  or  receiver  of  stolen  goods. 
(0  Jealous.  (J)  Humbug. 


THE  TUILER1ES.  397 

Tries  her  hand  at  the  downy  trick, 
And  prigs  in  a  shop,  but  precious  quick 
"  Stop  thief!"  vas  the  cry,  and  she  vas  taken  | 
I  cuts  and  runs  and  saves  my  bacon. 
Then  says  he,  says  Sir  Richard  Birnie, 
"  I  ad  wise  you  to  nose  on  your  pals  (£),  and  turn  the 
Snitch  (/)  on  the  gang,  that'll  be  the  best  vay 
To  save  your  scrag  (m)."     Then,  without  delay, 
He  so  prewailed  on  the  treach'rous  varmint  («), 
That  she  vas  noodled  by  the  Bow  Street  sarmint  (o). 
Then  the  beaks  they  grabbed  me  and  to  prison  I  vas  dragg'd, 
And  for  fourteen  years  of  my  life  I  vas  lagg'd  (p). 
*  My  mot  must  now  be  growing  old, 
And  so  am  I,  if  the  truth  be  told  ; 
But  the  only  vay  to  get  on  in  the  vorld, 
Is  to  go  with  the  stream  and  however  vc're  twirled, 
To  bear  all  rubs  :  and  ven  ve  suffer 
To  hope  for  the  smooth  ven  ve  feels  the  rougher, 
Though  very  hard,  I  confess,  it  appears, 
To  be  lagged,  for  a  lark  (y),  for  fourteen  years.' 

Winter,  when  I  apprehended  him,  had  many  associates  in  Paris, 
and  the  Tuileries  was  the  notorious  place  where  the  most  daring 
and  celebrated  thieves  assembled,  who  recommended  themselves 
to  public  veneration  by  impudently  bedecking  themselves  with  all 
the  crosses  of  the  orders  of  knighthood.  In  the  eyes  of  an  observer 
who  can  discern  accurately,  the  Chateau  was  then  less  a  royal  resi- 
dence than  a  haunt  infested  by  these  thieves.  There  congregated 
a  crowd  of  galley-slaves,  pickpockets,  and  swindlers  of  every  class, 
who  presented  themselves  as  the  old  companions-in-arms  of  Char- 
ette,  La  Roche-Jacquelin,  Stoflet,  Cadoudal,  etc.  The  days  of 
review  and  court  assemblies  witnessed  the  gathering  of  these  pre- 
tended heroes.  In  my  office  of  superior  agent  of  police,  I  judged 
it  my  duty  to  keep  a  strict  lookout  after  these  royalists  of  circum- 
stances. I  stationed  myself  in  their  way,  either  in  or  out  of  the 
apartments,  and  was  soon  fortunate  enough  to  restore  several  of 
them  to  the  Bagne. 

One  Sunday,  accompanied  by  one  of  my  auxiliaries,  I  was  on 
the  watch  on  the  Place  du  Carousel ;  we  saw,  going  out  from  the 
Pavilion  de  Flore,  a  person  whose  costume,  not  less  rich  than 
elegant,  attracted  the  attention  of  every  person.  This  personage 
must  be  a  great  lord ;  had  he  not  been  covered  with  orders,  he 
would  have  been  recognised  by  the  delicacy  of  his  embroidery, 
the  grace  of  his  feather,  the  sparkling  knot  of  his  sword ;  but  in 
the  eyes  of  a  police  officer  all  is  not  gold  that  glitters.  The  agent 
with  me,  in  drawing  my  attention  to  this  splendid  signer,  observed 
that  there  was  a  striking  likeness  between  him  and  one  Chambreuil, 

(fc)  Impeach  your  accomplices.  (/)  Confess.  (ni)  Neck. 

(n)  S!anff  ce  for  vermin.         (0}  Sermon.       (/)  Transported.       (y)  Bit  of  fun. 


393  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

with  whom  he  had  been  at  the  Bagne  at  Toulon.  I  had  seen 
Chambreuil,  and  I  went  to  station  myself  so  as  to  see  this  person 
face  to  face  ;  and,  in  spite  of  the  dress  a  la  Fran$aise,  the  breeches 
d  V Angleterre,  the  laced  neckerchief  and  ruffles,  I  instantly  recog- 
nised the  ex-galley-slave ;  it  was,  in  fact,  Chambreuil,  a  notorious 
forger,  who  had  obtained  much  celebrity  by  his  escapes  from  the 
galleys.  His  first  sentence  was  about  the  period  of  the  successful 
campaigns  in  Italy.  At  this  time  he  followed  the  army,  that  he 
might  the  more  easily  imitate  the  signatures  of  the  purveyors.  He 
had  a  decided  talent  for  this  kind  of  imitation ;  but  having  been 
too  prodigal  of  his  abilities  in  this  way,  he  had  ended  by  procuring 
for  himself  three  years'  imprisonment.  Three  years  soon  pass 
away.  Chambreuil  could  not,  however,  reconcile  himself  to  his 
prison  j  he  escaped,  and  fled  to  Paris,  where  he  put  into  circula- 
tion a  vast  many  notes  of  his  own  fabrication.  This  industry  was 
converted  into  a  crime ;  and,  again  placed  on  his  trial,  he  was 
found  guilty,  and  sent  to  Brest,  where,  by  virtue  of  his  sentence, 
he  should  have  passed  eight  years.  Chambreuil  again  escaped; 
but  as  forgery  was  his  constant  resource,  he  was  apprehended  a 
third  time,  and  appended  to  the  chain,  which  was  sent  to  Toulon. 
Scarcely  had  he  arrived  there,  when  he  again  endeavoured  to  elude 
the  vigilance  of  his  keepers ;  but  apprehended  and  sent  back  to 
the  Bagne,  he  was  placed  in  the  too  celebrated  room,  No.  3,  where 
he  passed  his  time,  increased  by  three  years.  During  this  deten- 
tion, he  endeavoured  to  amuse  himself  by  dividing  his  leisure 
between  denouncement  and  swindling,  which  was  no  less  to  his 
taste  than  his  other  pursuit.  His  choice,  however,  was  forged 
letters,  which,  on  his  leaving  the  Bagne,  brought  him  two  years' 
imprisonment  in  the  prison  of  Embrun.  Chambreuil  had  just 
arrived  there,  when  S.  A.  R.  le  Due  d'Angouleme  passing  through 
this  city,  he  caused  a  petition  to  be  presented  to  this  prince,  in 
which  he  stated  that  he  was  an  old  Vendean,  a  devoted  servant, 
whose  royalism  had  drawn  down  persecution  upon  him.  Cham- 
breuil was  immediately  set  at  liberty,  and  soon  afterwards  began 
to  use  his  freedom  as  heretofore.  When  we  recognised  him,  it 
was  easy  to  judge  by  the  figure  he  cut,  that  he  was  in  a  good  vein 
of  fortune.  We  followed  him  an  instant,  to  convince  ourselves 
that  it  was  indeed  he ;  and  as  soon  as  all  doubt  was  removed,  I 
accosted  him,  declaring  that  he  was  my  prisoner.  Chambreuil 
thought  then  to  impose  upon  me,  by  spitting  in  my  face  a  tre- 
mendous series  of  qualities  and  titles  which  he  asserted  belonged 
to  him.  He  was  nothing  less  than  director  of  the  police  of  the 
Chateau,  and  chief  of  the  royal  stud  of  France ;  whilst  I  was  an 
insolent  scoundrel,  whom  he  was  to  punish  instantly.  In  spite  of 
threats,  I  persisted  in  making  him  get  into  a  hackney-coach  ;  and 


CHAMBREUIL.  399 

as  he  made  some  difficulty  about  it,  we  compelled  him  by  main 
force.  In  presence  of  M.  Henry,  M.  le  Director  of  the  Police  of 
the  Chateau  was  not  at  all  disconcerted ;  on  the  contrary,  he  as- 
sumed a  tone  of  arrogant  superiority,  which  actually  alarmed  the 
chief  of  the  prefecture.  They  all  thought  that  I  had  committed 
a  blunder. 

1 1  will  never  put  up  with  such  an  audacious  insult,'  cried  Cham- 
breuil ;  '  it  is  an  outrage  for  which  I  will  have  ample  reparation.  I 
will  let  you  know  who  I  am,  and  we  will  see  if  you  will  dare  to  use 
towards  me  those  arbitrary  measures,  which  even  the  minister  would 
not  venture  to  employ.' 

I  actually  thought  the  moment  had  arrived  when  they  would 
apologise  to  him,  and  reprimand  me.  They  did  not  doubt  but 
that  Chambreuil  was  an  old  galley-slave,  but  they  were  afraid  they 
had  offended  in  him  some  powerful  man,  on  whom  court  favours 
were  lavished.  However,  I  asserted,  with  so  much  energy,  that 
he  was  only  an  impostor,  that  they  could  not  avoid  giving  a  warrant 
to  search  his  residence.  I  was  to  assist  the  commissary  in  this 
operation,  at  which  Chambreuil  was  to  be  present ;  and  on  the 
road  he  whispered  to  me  : 

*  My  dear  Vidocq,  there  are  in  my  secretary  some  papers,  which 
it  is  important  to  me  to  keep  from  inspection  ;  promise  me  that 
you  will  get  them,  and  you  shall  have  no  cause  to  repent  it' 

*  I  promise  you.' 

1  You  will  find  them  under  a  double  lock,  of  which  I  will  tell 
you  the  secret.' 

He  told  me  how  I  was  to  proceed ;  and  I  found  the  papers  in 
the  place  he  had  pointed  out,  which  I  kept  to  add  to  those  which 
confirmed  the  propriety  of  his  apprehension.  Never  had  a  forger 
so  carefully  arranged  the  materials  of  his  swindling.  There  were 
found  at  his  house  a  quantity  of  printed  papers,  some  with  this  in- 
scription, Haras  de  France,  others  with  the  Police  du  Roi ;  sheets 
d  la  Telltire  bearing  the  titles  of  the  minister  of  war,  statements  of 
services,  brevets,  diplomas,  and  a  register  of  correspondence,  always 
open  as  if  by  accident,  that  any  looker-in  might  the  more  easily  be 
deceived — were  among  the  documents,  proving  the  high  functions 
which  Chambreuil  took  upon  himself.  He  was  supposed  to  be  on 
terms  of  intimacy  with  the  most  distinguished  personages;  princes 
and  princesses  wrote  to  him  :  their  letters  and  his  were  transcribed 
beside  each  other,  and  what  appears  very  strange  is,  that  he  was 
in  correspondence  with  the  prefet  of  police,  whose  reply  was  to  be 
found  in  his  lying  register,  on  the  margin  of  one  of  his  missives. 
The  light  afforded  by  the  search  so  well  corroborated  my  assertions 
respecting  Chambreuil,  that  they  did  not  hesitate  sending  him  to 
La  Force,  there  to  await  his  trial  Before  the  tribunal  it  was  im- 


400  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

possible  to  induce  him  to  confess  that  he  was  a  galley-slave,  which 
I  persisted  in  calling  him.  He  produced,  on  the  contrary,  authentic 
certificates,  which  stated  that  he  had  not  left  La  Vendee  since  the 
year  2.  The  judges  were  for  a  time  in  doubt  how  to  decide  be- 
tween him  and  me,  but  I  added  so  many  and  such  powerful  proofs 
in  support  of  my  assertions,  that,  his  identity  being  recognised,  he 
was  sentenced  to  hard  labour  for  life,  and  imprisoned  in  the  Bagne 
of  L'Orient,  where  he  was  not  slow  in  resuming  his  old  profession 
of  denouncer.  At  the  period  of  the  assassination  of  the  Due  de 
Berri,  in  concert  with  one  Gerard  Carette,  he  wrote  to  the  police 
that  he  had  information  to  give  respecting  this  fearful  transaction. 
Chambreuil  was  known,  and  not  credited ;  but  some  persons, 
absurd  enough  to  believe  that  Louvel  had  accomplices,  demanded 
that  Carette  should  be  brought  to  Paris.  This  was  complied  with, 
and  Carette  came;  but  nothing  was  elicited  from  him  which  threw 
any  additional  light  on  the  subject. 

The  year  1814  was  one  of  the  most  remarkable  of  my  life, 
principally  on  account  of  the  important  captures  which  followed 
one  another.  Some  of  them  gave  rise  to  most  whimsical  incidents, 
and  as  I  am  in  a  vein  I  will  relate  one  or  two.  During  a  period  of 
three  years,  a  man  of  almost  gigantic  stature  had  been  pointed  out 
as  the  author  of  a  vast  many  robberies  committed  in  Paris.  By 
the  portraits  which  the  sufferers  drew  of  this  individual,  he  could 
be  no  other  than  Sablin,  an  excessively  skilful  and  enterprising 
thief,  who,  freed  from  many  successive  sentences  (two  of  which 
were  in  fetters),  had  resumed  his  old  trade  with  all  the  experience 
of  the  prisons.  Many  warrants  were  issued  against  Sablin,  and  the 
cleverest  agents  of  police  set  upon  him,  but  in  vain ;  he  escaped 
all  pursuit,  and  if  they  had  notice  that  he  had  appeared  in  any  spot, 
by  the  time  they  arrived  no  trace  of  him  remained.  All  the  police 
officers  being  wearied  by  the  useless  pursuit  of  this  invisible  person, 
the  task  devolved  on  me  to  seek  out  and  secure  him,  if  possible. 
For  fifteen  months  I  neglected  no  opportunity  of  endeavouring  to 
meet  him,  but  he  never  made  his  appearance  in  Paris  for  more 
than  a  few  hours  at  a  time,  and  as  soon  as  the  robbery  was  effected, 
he  was  away  again  without  our  being  able  in  any  way  to  trace  him. 

Sablin  was  in  a  manner  known  only  to  me,  and  I,  therefore,  was 
the  person  whom  he  most  feared  to  meet.  As  he  could  see  me 
afar  off,  he  took  good  care  to  keep  out  of  my  way,  and  I  never 
once  got  sight  even  of  his  shadow.  However,  as  lack  of  perse- 
verance is  not  my  fault,  I  at  length  learnt  that  Sablin  had  just  taken 
up  his  residence  at  Saint  Cloud,  where  he  had  hired  an  apartment. 
At  this  news,  I  set  out  from  Paris  so  as  not  to  reach  there  until 
nightfall.  It  was  in  the  month  of  November,  and  the  weather  very 
.bad.  WJsgn  1  entered  Saint  Clopd,  all  my  clothes  were  wringing 


ARREST  OF  SABLIN.  401 

wet :  I  did  not  take  the  trouble  of  drying  them,  and  in  my  impa- 
tience to  learn  if  I  had  been  put  on  a  false  scent,  I  obtained,  on 
talking  about  new-comers,  some  news,  which  was  that  a  female, 
whose  husband,  a  foreign  merchant,  was  five  feet  ten  inches  (French 
measure),  had  recently  occupied  a  certain  house  pointed  out  to  me. 
Five  feet  ten  inches  (French)  is  not  a  common  height  even  for 
Patagonians  ;  and  I  no  longer  doubted  but  that  I  had  at  last  found 
the  actual  domicile  of  Sablin.  But  as  it  was  too  late  to  present 
myself,  I  deferred  my  visit  until  the  next  day  ;  and  that  I  might  be 
certain  that  my  man  did  not  escape  me,  I  resolved,  in  spite  of  the 
rain,  to  pass  the  night  before  his  house.  I  was  in  ambuscade  with 
one  of  my  agents,  and  at  break  of  day,  the  door  being  opened,  I 
glided  quickly  into  the  house  that  I  might  take  a  survey,  and  see 
if  it  were  time  to  commence  work.  Scarcely  had  I  put  a  foot  on 
the  first  stair,  when  I  paused — some  one  was  descending.  It  was 
a  woman,  whose  features  and  painful  step  betokened  a  state  of 
suffering.  On  seeing  me,  she  shrieked  and  went  back  again  :  I 
followed,  and  entering  with  her  into  an  apartment  of  which  she 
had  the  key,  heard  myself  announced  in  these  words,  pronounced 
in  accents  of  horror,  '  Here  is  Vidocq  !'  The  bed  was  in  an  inner 
room,  towards  which  I  darted.  A  man  was  in  bed — he  raised  his 
head — 'twas  Sablin  ; — I  flung  myself  upon  him,  and  before  he  could 
recognise  me  I  had  handcuffed  him.  During  this  operation,  the 
lady,  having  fallen  into  a  chair,  groaned  very  bitterly ;  she  writhed, 
and  appeared  tormented  by  horrid  pains. 

'  What  is  the  matter  with  your  wife  ?'  I  inquired  of  Sablin. 

*  Do  you  not  see  that  she  is  in  labour  ?    All  night  she  has  been 
in  the  same  state.     When  you  met  her,  she  was  going  out  to 
Mother  Tiremonde's '  (the  midwife). 

At  that  moment  the  groans  redoubled. 

*  My  God  !  my  God  !  I  can  move  no  longer,  I  am  dying ;  pray 
have  pity  on  me  :  relieve  my  sufferings  !  give  me  help  !' 

Soon  only  half-choked  sounds  were  heard.  Not  to  be  touched 
at  such  a  situation  would  have  evinced  a  heart  of  marble.  But 
what  could  I  do  ?  It  was  evident  that  a  midwife  was  needed,  but 
who  was  to  go  in  search  of  her?  Two  were  not  too  many  to 
guard  a  fellow  of  Sablin's  strength.  I  could  not  go  out,  nor  could 
I  determine  on  leaving  a  woman  to  die ;  and  between  humanity 
and  duty,  I  was  the  most  embarrassed  man  in  the  world.  Sud 
denly  an  historical  anecdote,  well  told  by  Madame  de  Genlis, 
occurred  to  me  :  I  recalled  to  mind  the  *  Grand  Monarque '  per- 
forming the  office  of  accoucheur  to  Lavalliere.  '  Why,'  said  I, 
*  should  I  be  more  delicate  than  he  ?  Come,  quick,  a  doctor  :  I 
am  one.'  I  immediately  took  off  my  coat,  and  in  less  than  twenty- 

26 


402  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

five  minutes  Madame  Sablin  was  delivered :  it  was  a  boy,  a  fine 
boy,  to  which  she  gave  birth.  I  swaddled  the  infant,  after  having 
made  this  toilet  of  his  first  ingress  or  first  egress,  for  I  believe  that 
in  this  instance  the  two  expressions  are  synonymous ;  and  when 
the  ceremony  was  over,  on  looking  at  my  work,  I  had  the  satis- 
faction to  find  that  both  mother  and  child  were  doing  '  as  well  as 
could  be  expected.' 

Then  I  had  to  fulfil  a  form,  the  entry  of  the  little  new-comer 
on  the  register  of  the  civil  magistrates ;  we  were  all  anxious  :  I 
offered  to  be  subscribing  witness ;  and  when  I  had  signed,  Madame 
Sablin  said  to  me : 

'  Ah !  Monsieur  Vidocq,  since  you  are  here,  there  is  another 
service  you  could  render  us.' 

*  What  ?' — '  I  dare  scarcely  name  it* 

*  Speak,  if  it  be  in  my  power ' 

*  We  have  no  godfather  •  would  you  be  kind  enough  to  stand  for 
the  boy  ?' 

1  Certainly,  as  well  as  another  ;  where  is  the  godmother  ?' 

Madame  Sablin  begged  us  to  call  in  one  of  her  neighbours;  and 
as  soon  as  all  was  in  readiness,  we  went  to  church,  accompanied  by 
Sablin,  whose  escape  I  had  rendered  impossible.  The  honours  of 
this  sponsorship  did  not  cost  me  less  than  fifty  francs,  and  yet  there 
was  no  christening  feast. 

In  spite  of  the  vexation  which  Sablin  necessarily  experienced,  he 
was  so  deeply  penetrated  by  my  proceedings,  that  he  could  not 
forbear  testifying  his  gratitude. 

After  a  good  breakfast,  which  was  brought  to  us  in  the  chamber 
of  the  lying-in  lady,  I  conducted  her  husband  to  Paris,  where  he 
was  sentenced  to  five  years'  imprisonment.  Being  master-turnkey 
at  La  Force,  where  he  underwent  his  sentence,  Sablin  found  in  this 
employment,  not  only  a  means  of  living  well,  but  also  that  of  saving, 
at  the  expense  of  the  prisoners  and  the  persons  who  visited  them, 
a  small  fortune,  which  he  proposed  to  share  with  his  wife ;  but  at 
the  period  of  his  liberation,  my  friend  Madame  Sablin,  who  also 
had  a  partiality  for  the  property  of  others,  was  expiating  her  crime 
at  Saint-Lazare.  In  the  isolation  consequent  on  the  incarceration 
of  his  mate,  Sablin,  like  many  others,  turned  to  evil  courses,  that 
is,  having  one  evening  in  his  pocket  the  fruits  of  his  savings,  which 
he  had  turned  into  specie,  he  went  to  the  gambling-table  and  lost 
the  whole.  Two  days  afterwards,  he  was  found  suspended  in  the 
wood  of  Boulogne ;  he  had  selected  as  the  instrument  of  his 
death  one  of  the  trees  in  the  Allde  des  Voleurs.  It  was  not,  as 
in  ay  have  been  seen,  without  much  trouble  that  I  was  able  to 
render  Sablin  up  to  justice.  Certainly,  if  all  my  searches  had  been 
of  necessity  as  tedious  and  difficult,  I  could  not  have  accora- 


THE  SEB1LLOTTES.  403 

plished  them  :  but  success  generally  attended  me,  and  sometimes 
was  so  close  at  hand,  that  I  myself  was  amazed  at  it.  A  few  days 
after  my  adventure  in  Saint-Cloud,  the  Sieur  Sebillotte,  a  vintner  in 
the  Rue  de  Charenton,  No.  145,  complained  of  having  been 
robbed.  According  to  his  statement,  the  thieves  had  effected  an 
entrance  by  climbing,  between  seven  and  eight  o'clock  in  the 
evening ;  had  carried  off  twelve  thousand  francs  in  cash,  two  gold 
watches,  and  six  silver  spoons.  There  had  been  force  used  ex- 
ternally and  internally.  All  the  circumstances  were  so  extra- 
ordinary, that  the  veracity  of  M.  Sebillotte  was  somewhat  doubted, 
and  I  was  ordered  to  clear  the  affair  up.  A  conversation  I  had 
with  him  convinced  me  that  his  complaint  comprehended  only 
plain  facts.  M.  Sebillotte  was  a  landlord;  he  was  in  easy  cir- 
cumstances, and  out  of  debt;  consequently,  I  could  not  detect 
in  his  situation  a  shadow  of  a  motive  which  might  lead  me  to 
believe  that  the  robbery  of  which  he  complained  was  false ;  and 
yet  it  was  of  such  a  nature,  that  to  commit  it,  the  persons  of  the 
house  must  have  been  perfectly  well  known  to  the  thieves.  I 
asked  M.  Sebillotte  what  persons  frequented  his  cabaret ;  and  when 
he  had  mentioned  some,  he  said  : 

'  That  is  nearly  all,  except  chance  customers,  and  those  strangers 
who  cured  my  wife ;  on  my  word,  we  were  very  lucky  to  have  met 
with  them  !  The  poor  thing  had  been  suffering  these  three  years, 
and  they  have  given  her  a  remedy  which  has  done  her  much  good/ 

*  Do  you  often  see  these  strangers  ?' 

'  They  used  to  come  here,  but  since  my  wife  is  better,  we  only 
see  them  occasionally.1 

'Do  you  know  what  they  are?  Perhaps  they  may  have 
observed ' 

'Ah,  sir!'  cried  Madame  Sebillotte,  who  joined  in  the  con- 
versation, '  do  not  suspect  them,  they  are  honest ;  I  have  proof  of 
that/ 

'  Yes,  yes  !'  added  the  husband,  '  she  has  proof,  which  she  will 
tell  you  :  you  will  hear.  Tell  the  gentleman,  my  dear.' 

Then  Madame  Sebillotte  began  her  recital  in  these  terms  : — 
'  Yes,  sir,  they  are  honest,  or  I  will  be  burnt  alive.  Well,  you 
must  know,  it  is  not  more  than  a  fortnight  ago,  it  was  just  a  week 
after  the  term,  I  was  counting  out  some  money,  when  one  of  the 
females  who  is  with  them  came  in  ;  it  was  she  who  had  given  me 
the  remedy,  from  which  I  have  had  so  much  relief;  and  I  must 
tell  you,  she  would  not  accept  a  sou  for  it,  quite  the  contrary. 
You  must  suppose  that  I  was  very  much  pleased  at  seeing  her ;  I 
made  her  sit  down  beside  me,  and  whilst  I  was  laying  out  the 
money  in  parcels  of  a  hundred  francs,  she  saw  one  on  which  was 

26 — 2 


404  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

a  large  man  leaning  on  two  young  ones,  with  a  skin  on  his 
shoulders  like  a  savage,  holding  a  club  :  "  Ah  !"  said  she,  "  have 
you  many  like  these  ?"  "  Why  ?"  said  I.  "  Because,  you  must 
know,  that  is  worth  a  hundred  and  four  sous.  As  many  as  you 
have,  my  husband  will  take  at  that  price,  if  you  will  lay  them  aside." 
I  thought  she  was  jesting ;  but  in  the  evening  I  never  was  more 
surprised  than  to  see  her  return  with  her  husband.  We  looked 
over  the  money  together,  and  as  we  found  amongst  it  three  hun- 
dred pieces  of  a  hundred  sous,  like  those  she  had  pointed  out,  I 
let  him  have  them,  and  he  gave  me  a  premium  of  sixty  francs. 
You  may  judge  after  that  if  they  are  honest  people  or  not,  since 
they  might,  if  they  had  liked,  have  had  them  coin  for  coin.' 

By  the  work  we  know  the  workmen.  The  last  sentence  of 
Madame  Sebillotte  informed  me  what  sort  of  people  were  those 
honest  creatures  whose  eulogy  she  made  ;  nor  did  I  need  more  to 
be  assured  that  the  robbery,  the  authors  of  which  I  sought  to 
detect,  had  been  committed  by  the  Bohe'miens.  The  matter  of 
exchange  was  quite  in  their  way  ;  and  then  Madame  Sebillotte,  in 
describing  them,  only  confirmed  me  more  and  more  in  my  precon- 
ceived opinion.  I  soon  left  the  couple,  and  from  that  moment 
all  dark  complexions  were  looked  at  by  me  with  suspicion.  I  was 
thinking  how  and  where  I  should  be  most  likely  to  fall  in  with 
some  of  the  persons  I  wanted,  when,  passing  along  the  Boulevard 
du  Temple,  I  saw,  seated  in  a  cabaret,  called  La  Maison  Rustique, 
two  persons,  whose  copper-hued  skin  and  foreign  look  awoke  in 
my  mind  reminiscences  of  my  sojourn  at  Malines.  I  entered ; 
who  should  I  see  but  Christian,  with  one  of  his  pals>  whom  I  also 
knew.  I  went  up  to  them,  and  presenting  my  hand  to  Christian, 
saluted  him  by  the  name  of  Coroin.  He  looked  at  me  for 
a  moment,  and  then,  my  features  becoming  known  to  him,  *  Ah/ 
he  cried,  jumping  on  my  neck  with  transport,  c  my  old  friend  !' 

So  long  a  period  had  passed  since  we  met,  that,  of  course,  after 
the  customary  compliments,  we  had  many  questions  to  ask  and 
reply  to  mutually.  He  wanted  to  know  why  I  left  Malines ;  and 
without  intimating  my  intention  to  him,  I  trumped  up  a  story  which 
passed  current. 

*  All  right,  all  right/  said  he  ;   *  whether  true  or  not,  I  credit  it : 
besides,  I  find  you  again,  and  that  is  the  main  point.     Ah  !  all  our 
cronies  will  rejoice  to  see  you.     They  are  all  in  Paris.     Caron, 
Langarin,  Ruffler,  Martin,  Sisque,  Mich,  Litle ;  even  old  Mother 
Lavio  is  with  us  ;  and  Betche  too,  little  Betche.' 

*  Ah,  yes,  your  wife.' 

1  How  pleased  she  will  be  to  see  you.  If  you  will  be  here  at  six 
o'clock  the  union  will  be  complete  j  we  are  to  meet  here,  and  to 


CHRISTIAN  A  GAIN.  405 

go  to  the  theatre  together.  You  shall  be  of  the  patty,  but  we  will 
not  part  now.  You  have  not  dined?' — 'No.' 

'Nor  I  either;  we  will  go  to  Capucin.' 

'  If  you  like  ;  it  is  close  at  hand.' 

*  Yes,  only  two  steps,  at  the  corner  of  the  Rue  d'Angouleme.' 
This  vintner  and  cook,  whose  establishment  bears  a  grotesque 

image  of  a  disciple  of  Saint  Francis  as  a  sign,  then  enjoyed  the 
favour  of  the  public,  in  whose  eyes  quantity  is  always  more  valued 
than  quality  ;  and  then  for  the  holiday  keepers  on  Sunday  and. 
Saint  Monday, — for  those  jolly  fellows  who  carry  on  the  war  the 
whole  week,  is  it  not  very  pleasant  to  have  a  place  where,  without 
faring  badly  or  offending  any  person,  they  may  appear  in  all  sorts 
of  garbs,  with  any  growth  of  beard,  and  in  every  state  of  intoxica- 
tion ?  Such  were  the  advantages  which  offered  themselves  at  Ca- 
pucin's,  without  mentioning  the  large  snuff-box  always  open  on  the 
citizen's  counter,  at  the  service  of  whosoever,  in  passing,  wished  to 
refresh  his  nostrils  with  a  pinch.  It  was  four  o'clock  when  we 
installed  ourselves  in  this  spot  of  liberty  and  joy.  The  space  was 
long  till  six  o'clock.  I  was  impatient  to  return  to  the  Maison 
Rustique,  where  Christian's  companions  were  to  meet.  After  the 
repast  we  rejoined  them  ;  there  were  six,  in  accosting  whom  Chris- 
tian spoke  in  their  peculiar  language.  They  instantly  surfbunded, 
hailed,  embraced,  welcomed  me  with  acclamation;  pleasure 
sparkled  in  their  eyes. 

*  No  play,  no  play,'  cried  the  wanderers,  with  unanimous  voice. 

'  You  are  right,'  said  Christian  ;  *  no  play  ;  we  will  go  to  the 
theatre  another  time ;  let  us  drink,  my  boys,  let  us  drink.' 

4  Let  us  drink  !'  echoed  the  gipsies.  Wine  and  punch  circulated 
freely.  I  drank,  laughed,  talked,  and  carried  on  my  trade.  I 
watched  their  countenances,  motions,  actions,  and  nothing  escaped 
me.  I  recalled  to  myself  some  indications  furnished  by  Monsieur 
and  Madame  Sebillotte ;  and  the  history  of  the  hundred  sous 
pieces,  which  had  only  been  the  first  slight  groundwork  of  a  con- 
jecture, became  the  basis  of  confirmed  conviction. 

Christian,  or  his  mates,  I  could  no  longer  doubt,  were  the 
authors  of  the  robbery  announced  to  the  police.  How  did  I  com- 
mend the  casual  glance,  made  so  apropos,  at  the  interior  of  La 
Maison  Rustique  !  But  it  was  not  all  to  have  detected  the  guilty ; 
I  waited  until  their  brains  were  properly  heated  by  the  alcoholic 
applications ;  and  when  the  whole  party  was  in  a  state  when  one 
candle  was  enough  to  show  two  persons,  I  went  out,  and,  running 
hastily  to  the  Theatre  de  la  Gaite,  informed  the  officer  on  duty 
that  I  was  with  some  thieves,  and  arranged  with  him  that  in  an 
hour  or  two  at  the  latest  he  should  apprehend  us  all,  men  and 
women.  These  instructions  given,  I  returned  quickly.  My  ab~ 


406  MEMOIRS  Of  VWOCQ. 

sence  had  not  been  remarked ;  but  at  ten  o'clock  the  house  was 
visited,  the  peace  officer  presented  himself,  and  with  him  a  for- 
midable body  of  gendarmes  and  agents.  They  secured  each  of  us 
separately,  and  then  conducted  us  to  the  guard-house.  The  com- 
missary had  preceded  us  ;  he  ordered  a  general  search.  Christian, 
who  called  himself  Hirch,  in  vain  endeavoured  to  conceal  M. 
Sebillotte's  six  silver  spoons  ;  and  his  companion,  Madame  Ville- 
main  (the  title  the  lady  gave  herself),  could  not  preserve  in  secret, 
from  the  rigid  search  she  underwent,  the  two  gold  watches  men- 
tioned* in  the  complaint.  The  others  were  also  compelled  to  pro- 
duce money  and  jewels,  which  were  taken  from  them.  I  was 
anxious  to  know  the  opinion  of  my  ancient  comrades  on  this 
matter.  I  thought  I  read  in  their  eyes  that  they  did  not  in  the 
least  distrust  me  ;  nor  was  I  mistaken,  for  scarcely  had  we  reached 
the  violon  (the  watch-house),  than  they  made  me  excuses  for  hav- 
ing been  the  involuntary  cause  of  my  arrest. 

'  It  was  not  purposely  done/  said  Christian,  *  but  who  the  devil 
could  have  expected  such  a  thing  ?  You  were  quite  right  to  say 
you  knew  nothing  about  us :  be  quiet,  and  we  will  not  say  a  word 
to  the  contrary ;  and,  as  nothing  has  been  found  on  your  person  to 
put  you  in  any  danger,  you  may  be  certain  they  will  not  long  detain 
you.'  « 

Christian  then  recommended  discretion  to  me,  as  to  his  real 
name,  as  well  as  those  of  his  companions. 

'  Although,'  he  added,  *  the  recommendation  is  superfluous, 
since  you  are  not  less  interested  than  we  in  keeping  silence  on 
this  score.' 

I  offered  to  the  gipsies  to  use  the  first  moments  of  my  liberty  in 
their  service ;  and  in  the  hope  that  I  should  not  be  kept  long  in 
durance,  they  told  me  their  domicile,  so  that  in  getting  out  I  might 
inform  their  comrades.  About  midnight  the  commissary  sent  for 
me,  under  pretence  of  examining  me,  and  we  instantly  went  to  the 
Marche  Lenoir,  where  dwelt  the  famous  Duchesse  and  three  other 
pals  of  Christian,  whom  we  apprehended  by  virtue  of  a  warrant, 
and  after  a  search  which  produced  all  necessary  proofs  for  their 
conviction.  This  band  consisted  of  twelve  persons,  six  men  and 
six  women ;  they  were  all  condemned,  the  former  to  irons,  the 
latter  to  close  confinement.  The  vintner  of  the  Rue  de  Charenton 
recovered  his  jewellery,  plate,  and  the  greater  portion  of  his  money. 
Madame  Sebillotte  was  overjoyed.  The  specific  of  the  Bohemiens 
had  the  effect  of  rendering  her  health  less  precarious,  the  informa- 
tion of  the  twelve  thousand  francs  regained  perfectly  restored  it, 
and  doubtless  the  experience  she  had  was  not  lost  upon  her  •  she 
remembered  that,  once  in  her  life,  she  had  nearly  been  a  great 


THE  LOST  SPANIEL.  407 

loser,  by  having  sold  five-franc  pieces  for  a  hundred  and  four  sous. 
*  A  burnt  child  dreads  the  fire.' 

This  meeting  with  the  gipsies  was  almost  miraculous ;  but  in 
the  course  of  eighteen  years  that  I  have  been  attached  to  the 
police,  it  has  happened  more  than  once  that  I  have  been  casually 
Drought  in  contact  with  persons  whom  in  my  early  days  I  had 
known.  Apropos  of  occurrences  of  this  kind,  I  cannot  resist  the 
desire  of  mentioning  in  this  chapter  one  of  the  thousand  absurd 
complaints  which  it  was  my  lot  to  receive  daily ;  this  in  particular 
procured  for  me  a  very  singular  renewal  of  acquaintance.  One 
morning,  whilst  I  was  occupied  in  drawing  up  a  report,  I  was  told 
that  a  lady  of  respectable  appearance  desired  to  see  me;  '  she  wishes 
to  speak  with  you  on  an  affair  of  importance.'  I  ordered  that  she 
should  be  admitted  instantly.  She  entered. 

*  I  have  to  beg  pardon  for  disturbing  you ;  you  are  Monsieur 
Vidocq  ?' 

'  Yes,  madame  ;  and  in  what  can  I  be  of  service  to  you  ?* 

*  Oh,  you  can  aid  me  materially,  sir ;  you  can  restore  to  me 
appetite  and  sleep.     I  neither  rest  nor  eat. — Ah,  how  wretched  is 
it  to  be  gifted  with  excessive  sensibility.     Ah  !  sir,  how  I  pity 
persons  of  our  sentiment !     I  swear  to  you  that  it  is  the  most  dis- 
tressing qualification  that  heaven  can  bestow ! — He  was  so  well 
brought  up,  so  interesting. — If  you  had  known  him  you  could  not 
have  forborne  loving  him. — Poor  dear  !' 

'  But,  madame,  condescend  to  explain  ;  you  may  perhaps  suffer 
by  a  causeless  delay,  and  lose  precious  time.' 

*  He  was  my  only  comfort ' 

'  Well,  madame,  what  is  it  ?' 

*  I  have  not  power  to  tell  you.' 

She  put  her  hand  into  her  reticule,  and  thence  produced  a  paper 
which  she  gave  me  with  averted  eyes,  saying  :  *  Read,  read  !' 

*  These  are  printed  papers  you  have  given  me  ;  you  must  have 
made  some  mistake.' 

*  Would  that  I  did,  sir ;  would  to  heaven  that  I  did.    I  beseech 
you  to  cast  your  eyes  over  the  number  32,740 ;  my  grief  forbids 
me  to  utter  more  !     Ah  !  how  cruel  is  my  fate.' — (Tears  fell  from 
her  eyes,  the  word  expired  upon  her  lips,  she  was  convulsed  by 
sobs,  and  could  with  apparent  difficulty  prevent  them  suffocating 
her.)     *  I  am  strangled  !     I  am  choking  !     I  feel  something  swell- 
ing in  my  throat. — Ah  !  ah  !  ah  !  ah  !' 

I  handed  a  seat  to  the  lady,  and  whilst  she  abandoned  herself 
to  her  sorrow,  I  turned  over  two  or  three  leaves,  until  I  reached 
No.  32,740,  under  the  head  of  lost  property ;  the  page  was  moist 
with  tears  ;  I  read  : 

*  A  small  spaniel,  with  long  silvery  silky  hair,  dropping  ears ;  he  is  perfectly 


4o8  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ, 

trimmed  ;  a  mark  of  fire  above  each  eye  :  physiognomy  excessively  animated, 
the  tail  trumpet-fashion,  forming  the  bird  of  paradise.  His  natural  disposi- 
tion is  very  endearing ;  will  eat  nothing  but  the  white  of  a  chicken,  and 
answers  to  the  name  of  Gar£on,  pronounced  with  mildness.  His  mistress  is 
in  despair ;  fifty  francs  reward  will  be  given  to  whosoever  will  bring  him  to 
the  Rue  de  Turenne,  No.  23.' 

'  Well,  madame  !  what  am  I  to  do  for  Gargon  ?  Dogs  are  not 
under  my  control.  I  see  that  he  was  a  most  amiable  creature.' 

'  Ah  !  sir,  amiable  !  that  is  the  exact  word,'  sighed  the  lady,  in 
accents  that  penetrated  the  very  heart ;  '  and  his  intelligence  could 
not  be  surpassed;  he  never  left  me. — Dearest  Gargon !  Would 
you  believe  it,  that  during  the  holy  exercises,  he  had  a  more  devout 
look  than  myself?  In  truth,  he  was  generally  admired,  his  ap- 
pearance alone  was  a  lesson  to  mankind. — Alas  !  alas  !  on  Sunday 
last  we  were  going  to  the  sacrament;  I  was  carrying  him  under  my 
arm  ;  you  know  these  little  creatures  have  perpetual  wants — at  the 
moment  we  were  entering  the  church,  I  put  him  on  the  ground, 
that  he  might  do  as  he  wished ;  I  went  onwards,  not  to  disturb 
him,  and  when  I  returned — noGarcon. — I  called  "Gargon,  Gargon!" 
— he  had  disappeared.  I  left  the  Benedictine  to  run  after  him  ; 
and — judge  of  my  misery — I  could  not  find  him.  This  is  the 
business  that  has  induced  me  to  trouble  you  to-day,  to  entreat  that 
you  would  have  the  excessive  kindness  to  have  a  search  made  for 
him.  I  will  pay  all  that  is  needful ;  but  take  care  he  is  not  ill- 
used.  I  am  sure  the  fault  has  not  been  his.' 

*  Indeed,  madame,  whether  he  is  in  fault  or  not  is  no  concern 
of  mine ;  your  complaint  is  not  of  that  nature  to  which  I  am 
allowed  to  attend  ;  if  we  were  to  give  our  time  to  dogs,  cats,  aad 
birds,  there  would  be  endless  work.' 

*  Well,  sir ;  since  you  take  that  tone  I  shall  address  his  excel- 
lency.    If  there  is  no  respect  shown  to  persons  who  think  well — 
Do  you  know  I  belong  to  the  congregation,  and  that ' 

'  You  may  belong  to  the  devil  for  me ' 

I  could  not  finish  my  speech :  a  deformity  which  I  observed 
suddenly  in  the  devout  mistress  of  Gargon,  produced  from  me  a 
sudden  fit  of  laughter,  which  entirely  disconcerted  her. 

'  Am  I  an  object  of  mirth  ?'  said  she ;  '  laugh  away,  sir,  laugh 
away.' 

When  my  sudden  gaiety  had  a  little  abated,  I  said : 

*  Forgive,  madame,  this  impulse,  which  I  could  not  control ;  I 
did  not  know  at  first  with  whom  I  was  conversing,  but  now  I  know 
how  I  should  behave.    Do  you  really  deplore  the  loss  of  Gargon  ?' 

4  Ah  !  sir,  I  cannot  survive  it.' 

*  You  have  never  then  experienced  a  loss  which  more  sensibly 
affected  you  ?' — *  No,  sir.' 


MADAME  DUFLOS.  409 

f  Yet  you  have  had  a  husband  in  this  world,  you  had  a  son,  you 
have  had  lovers ' 

1 I,  sir  !  how  dare  you ' 

'Yes,  Madame  Duflos,  you  have  had  lovers;  you  have  really 
had  them.  Do  you  remember  a  certain  night  at  Versailles  ?' 

At  these  words  she  looked  at  me  attentively  for  a  moment ;  the 
colour  came  to  her  cheek. 

'  Eugene  !'  she  cried,  and  instantly  hastened  from  the  room. 

Madame  Duflos  was  a  milliner,  whose  clerk  I  had  been  for  some 
time,  when,  to  hide  from  the  search  of  the  police  at  Arras,  I  had 
concealed  myself  in  Paris.  She  was  a  droll  sort  of  woman  ;  she 
had  a  fine  head,  bold  eye,  good  eyebrow,  majestic  forehead ;  her 
mouth,  elevated  at  the  corners,  was  large,  but  adorned  with  thirty- 
two  teeth  of  dazzling  whiteness  ;  hair  of  a  beautiful  black,  and 
aquiline  nose,  above  a  tolerably  well-furnished  moustache,  gave  to 
her  physiognomy  an  air  which  would  have  been  imposing,  if  her 
bosom  placed  between  two  humps,  and  her  neck  plunged  into 
these  double  shoulders,  had  not  suggested  the  idea  of  a  female 
Punch. 

She  was  about  forty  when  I  first  saw  her :  her  appearance  was 
most  studiously  attended  to,  and  she  gave  herself  the  airs  of  a 
queen  ;  but  from  the  height  of  the  chair  whereon  she  was  perched, 
so  that  her  knees  were  elevated  above  the  counter,  she  seemed  less 
like  a  Semiramis  than  the  grotesque  idol  of  some  Indian  pagoda. 
When  I  saw  her  on  this  species  of  throne,  I  had  much  difficulty 
to  be  serious  ;  but  I  preserved  the  gravity  which  circumstances 
demanded,  and  had  just  sufficient  command  over  myself  to  con- 
vert into  salutations  of  the  most  respectful  kind  a  strong  disposition 
to  do  entirely  otherwise.  Madame  Duflos  took  from  her  bosom  a 
large  eye-glass,  through  which  she  viewed  me,  and  when  she  had 
taken  my  dimensions  from  head  to  foot : 

*  What  is  your  pleasure,  sir  ?'  she  said. 

I  was  about  to  reply,  but  a  clerk  who  had  undertaken  to  present 
me,  having  told  her  that  I  was  the  young  man  of  whom  he  had 
spoken,  she  looked  at  me  again,  and  asked  me  what  I  knew  of 
business.  Of  business  I  was  utterly  ignorant ;  I  was  silent ;  she 
repeated  the  question,  and  as  she  evinced  some  impatience,  I  was 
forced  to  explain. 

*  Madame,'  I  said,  *  I  know  nothing  of  the  business  of  fashions, 
but  with  zeal  and  perseverance,  I  hope  to  give  you  satisfaction, 
particularly  if  assisted  by  your  advice.' 

'  Well,  I  like  that ;  I  wish  people  to  be  frank  with  me.  I  re- 
ceive you  ;  you  shall  fill  Theodore's  situation.' 

*  I  am  at  your  orders  as  soon  as  you  please,  madame.' 


4io  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

*  Well,  then,  I  engage  you  at  once ;  from  this  very  day  you  may 
b  gin  on  trial.' 

My  installation  was  at  once  effected.  In  my  situation  as  junior 
clerk,  I  had  the  task  of  arranging  the  magazine  and  work-room, 
where  about  twenty  young  girls,  all  very  pretty,  were  employed  in 
fashioning  gewgaws,  destined  to  tempt  the  provincial  coquettes. 
Thrown  amongst  this  bed  of  beauties,  I  thought  myself  transported 
to  a  seraglio,  and,  looking  sometimes  at  the  brown  and  sometimes 
at  the  fair,  I  thought  of  circulating  the  handkerchief  pretty  freely, 
when,  on  the  morning  of  the  fourth  day,  Madame  Duflos,  who  had 
no  doubt  seen  something  not  quite  to  her  satisfaction,  sent  for  me 
to  her  room. 

*  M.  Eugene,'  she  said,  'I  am  much  displeased  with  you  ;  you 
have  been  here  but  a  very  short  time,  and  already  begin  to  form 
criminal  designs   upon  my  young  people.      I  tell   you  that  will 
not  do  for  me  at  all,  at  all,  at  all.' 

Overwhelmed  by  this  merited  reproach,  and  unable  to  imagine 
how  she  had  guessed  my  intentions,  I  could  only  stammer  out  a 
few  unconnected  words. 

'  You  would  have  considerable  difficulty  in  justifying  yourself,' 
she  added,  *  but  I  know  very  well  that  at  your  age  we  cannot  re- 
press our  inclinations  :  but  these  girls  must  not  be  thought  of  in 
any  way  ;  in  the  first  place,  they  are  too  young ;  then,  again,  they 
have  no  fortune ;  a  young  man  should  have  some  person  who  can 
assist  him,  some  person  of  sense  and  reason.' 

During  this  moral  lesson,  Madame  Duflos,  carelessly  extended 
on  an  easy  couch,  rolled  about  her  eyes  in  a  way  that  would  in- 
fallibly have  led  to  an  overpowering  burst  of  laughter  from  me, 
had  not  her  head-woman  entered  very  opportunely  to  tell  her  that 
she  was  wanted  in  the  work-room.  Thus  terminated  this  interview, 
which  proved  to  me  the  necessity  of  being  on  my  guard.  Without 
renouncing  my  intentions,  I  only  appeared  to  look  on  the  young 
women  with  indifference,  and  was  skilful  enough  to  set  her  pene- 
tration at  default ;  she  watched  me  incessantly,  spied  my  gestures, 
my  words,  my  looks ;  but  she  was  only  astonished  at  one  thing — 
the  rapidity  of  my  progress.  I  had  only  passed  one  month's 
apprenticeship  and  could  already  sell  a  shawl,  a  fancy  gown,  a  cap, 
or  a  bonnet,  as  well  as  the  most  experienced  hand.  Madame  was 
delighted,  and  had  even  the  kindness  to  say,  that,  if  I  continued 
as  attentive  to  her  lessons,  she  did  not  despair  of  making  me  the 
cock  of  the  mode. 

*  But,'  she  added,  '  mind,  no  familiarity  with  the  pullets — you 
understand  me,  M.  Eugene ;  you  understand  me.     And  I  have 
also  another  thing  to  recommend  to  you,  that  is,  not  to  neglect 
your  personal  appearance ;  nothing  is  so  genteel  as  a  well-dressed 


MADAME  DUFLOS.  411 

man.  Besides,  I  will  undertake  to  provide  your  dress  for  the  pre- 
sent ;  let  we  do  so,  and  you  will  see  if  I  will  not  make  a  little  Love 
of  you.' 

I  thanked  Madame  Duflos,  but  as  I  feared  with  her  extraordinary 
taste  she  might  make  of  me  some  such  a  Cupid  as  she  was  herself 
a  Venus,  I  told  her  that  I  wished  to  spare  her  the  care  of  a  meta- 
morphosis which  appeared  to  me  impossible  ;  but  that,  if  she  would 
confine  herself  to  her  kind  advice,  I  should  receive  it  with  grati- 
tude, and  seek  to  profit  by  it.  Some  time  afterwards  Madame 
Uuflos  told  me  that,  intending  as  usual  to  go  to  the  fair  of  Ver- 
sailles with  some  goods,  she  had  decided  that  I  should  attend  her. 
We  started  the  next  day,  and  forty-eight  hours  afterwards,  were 
established  at  the  Champ-de-Foire.  A  servant  who  had  attended 
us  slept  in  the  shop  ;  as  for  me,  I  lodged  with  madame,  at  the 
auberge ;  we  had  ordered  two  rooms,  but  in  consequence  of  the 
influx  of  strangers,  we  could  only  have  one  :  resignation  was  com- 
pulsory. In  the  evening,  madame  had  a  large  screen  brought, 
with  which  she  divided  the  room  into  two,  so  that  we  each  had 
our  own  apartment.  Before  we  went  to  bed,  she  preached  to  me 
for  an  hour.  Afterwards,  we  went  upstairs  :  madame  entered  her 
division,  I  wished  her  good  evening,  and  in  two  minutes  was  in 
bed.  Soon  sighs  began  to  escape  her,  doubtless  caused  by  the 
fatigue  which  she  had  experienced  during  the  day ;  she  sighed 
again,  but  the  candle  was  out,  and  I  went  to  sleep.  Suddenly,  I 
was  interrupted  in  my  first  nap,  I  thought  some  one  pronounced 
my  name  ;  I  listened.  '  Eugene.' 

It  was  the  voice  of  Madame  Duflos.     I  made  no  reply. 

'  Eugene,'  she  called  again,  *  have  you  closed  the  door  properly?' 
'Yes,  madame.' 

'  I  think  you  mistake ;  look,  I  beg  of  you,  and  see  if  the  bolt  is 
properly  secured  ;  we  cannot  be  too  careful  in  these  auberges.' 

I  did  as  desired,  and  returned  to  my  bed.  Scarcely  was 
I  laid  once  more  on  my  left  side  than  madame  began  to  com- 
plain. 

'  What  a  miserable  bed  !  I  am  eaten  up  by  the  bugs,  it  is  im- 
possible to  close  an  eye  !  And  you,  Eugene,  have  you  any  of  these 
insupportable  insects  ?' 

I  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  the  question. 

'  Eugene,  answer  me  ;  have  you  any  of  these  bugs,  as  I  have  ?' 

1  On  my  word,  madame,  I  have  not  yet  found  any.' 

'  You  are  very  fortunate  then,  and  I  congratulate  you ;  as  for 
me,  I  am  devoured  by  them,  I  have  bites  of  such  a  size !  If  it 
goes  on  in  this  way  I  shall  pass  a  sleepless  night.' 

I  kept  silence,  but  was  compelled  to  break  it  when  Madame 
Duflos  exasperated  by  her  sufferings,  and  not  knowing  how,  be- 


412  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

tween  the  biting  and  itching,  to  relieve  herself,  began  to  cry  out 
with  all  her  strength — 

{  Eugene  !  Eugene  !  do  get  up,  I  beseech  you,  and  be  so  good 
as  ask  the  innkeeper  for  a  light,  that  we  may  drive  away  these 
cursed  animals.  Make  haste,  I  entreat  you,  my  friend,  for  I  am  in 
hell.' 

I  went  down,  and  came  up  again  with  a  lighted  candle,  which  I 
put  on  the  table  near  the  lady's  bed.  As  I  was  but  lightly  clad, 
that  is  to  say,  with  my  flags  flying  in  the  wind,  I  retired  as  quickly 
as  possible,  as  well  out  of  respect  to  the  modesty  of  Madame 
Duflos,  as  to  escape  the  seductions  of  an  elegant  neglige,  in  which 
there  appeared  to  me  to  be  some  design.  But  scarcely  had  I  got 
round  the  screen,  when  Madame  Duflos  gave  a  piteous  shriek. 

*  Ah  !  what  a  size,  what  a  monster.  I  can  never  have  the  cour- 
age to  kill  it :  how  it  runs,  it  will  get  away.  Eugene  !  Eugene ! 
come  here,  I  supplicate  you.' 

I  could  not  retreat,  but,  like  a  second  Theseus,  I  risked  all,  and 
approached  the  bed. 

'  Where,  where,'  said  I,  '  is  this  Minotaur  ? — let  me  exterminate 
him !' 

'  I  conjure  you,  Eugene,  not  to  jest  in  that  way — there,  there, 
see  how  it  runs  :  did  you  see  it  on  the  pillow  ?  how  it  goes  down 
the  bed — what  swiftness !  it  seems  to  know  the  fate  you  have  in 
store  for  it.' 

In  vain  did  I  use  all  diligence ;  I  could  neither  catch  nor  even 
see  the  dangerous  animal.  I  looked  and  felt  everywhere  to  dis- 
cover its  hiding-place.  I  made  every  possible  exertion  to  find  it, 
but  in  vain.  Sleep  overpowered  us  in  our  endeavours ;  and  if,  on 
waking,  by  return  to  the  past,  I  was  led  to  reflect  that  Madame 
Duflos  had  been  more  fortunate  than  Potiphar's  wife,  I  had  the 
pain  of  thinking  that  I  had  not  all  the  virtue  of  Joseph.  From 
this  time  I  had  the  job  of  watching  every  night  that  madame  was 
not  tormented  by  bugs.  My  service  by  day  was  rendered  much 
easier.  Considerations,  anticipations,  little  presents — nothing  was 
spared ;  I  was,  like  the  conscript  of  Charlet,  nourished,  shod, 
clothed,  and  put  to  bed  at  the  expense  of  the  princess.  Unfor- 
tunately, the  princess  was  somewhat  jealous,  and  her  rule  a  little 
despotic.  Madame  Duflos  asked  nothing  more  but  that,  in  more 
senses  than  one,  I  should  amuse  myself  like  a  hump-backed  man  ; 
but  she  went  into  most  tremendous  fits  of  rage  if  I  even  glanced  at 
another  woman.  At  last,  worn  out  by  this  tyranny,  I  declared  one 
evening  that  I  would  free  myself  from  it. 

'  Ah  !  you  will  leave  me  then,'  said  she,  '  we  will  see  about  that.' 

Then,  arming  herself  with  a  knife,  she  darted  at  me  to  plunge  it 
in  my  heart.  I  seized  her  arm,  and  her  anger  being  appeased,  I 


MADAME  DUFLOS.  413 

agreed  to  remain,  on  condition  that  she  would  be  more  reasonable. 
She  promised ;  but,  from  the  next  day,  curtains  of  green  taffety 
were  placed  over  the  windows  of  the  room  in  which  I  was  placed, 
as  madame  had  thought  it  fit  to  intrust  me  exclusively  with  keep- 
ing her  books.  This  proceeding  was  the  more  vexatious,  as  I  had 
then  no  prospect  of  any  control  over  the  workroom.  Madame 
Duflos  was  most  ingenious  in  isolating  me  from  the  rest  of  the 
world ;  every  day  there  was  a  new  precaution  for  my  security.  At 
last  my  slavery  was  so  rigorous,  that  every  person  saw  through  the 
tenderness  of  which  I  was  the  object.  The  shop  girls,  who  liked 
nothing  better  than  teasing  madame,  came  to  speak  to  me  every 
instant,  sometimes  with  one  excuse,  sometimes  another ;  poor 
Madame  Duflos  was  tormented  to  death  by  it !  how  pitiable  ! 
Every  hour  in  the  day  she  poured  forth  her  reproaches  on  me ; 
and  never  gave  me  one  instant's  intermission.  I  could  not  for  any 
length  of  time  remain  easy  under  such  a  despotism.  To  avoid  a 
burst,  which  in  my  situation  might  have  involved  me  (I  had  then 
just  escaped  from  the  Bagne),  I  secretly  took  a  place  by  the  dili- 
gence, and  absconded.  How  little  did  I  then  think,  that,  after  a 
lapse  of  twenty  years,  I  should  meet  again  in  the  police-office  my 
little  Humpina  of  the  Rue  Saint  Martin  :  the  proverb  would  have 
it  so :  two  mountains  never  meet. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

The  jolly  butcher — A  murder — The  magistrates  of  Corbeil — Removal  of  the 
body — The  criminating  wound — I  hit  upon  the  right  man — Arrest  of  a 
su>pected  pair — The  goguettes,  or  the  bards  to  the  Quai  du  Nord — I  become 
a  scullion — Removal  to  the  prefecture — Confession — A  dealer  in  poultry, 
etc. — Somnambulism — The  guilty  parties  confronted — A  supper  under  lock 
and  key — Departure  from  Paris. 

FOR  upwards  of  four  months  a  great  number  of  murders  and  high- 
way robberies  had  been  committed  on  all  the  roads  conducting 
to  the  capital,  without  its  having  been  possible  to  discover  the 
perpetrators  of  these  crimes.  In  vain  had  the  police  kept  a  strict 
watch  upon  the  actions  of  all  suspected  persons — their  utmost 
diligence  was  fruitless ;  when  a  fresh  attempt,  attended  with  circum 
stances  of  the  most  horrible  nature,  supplied  them  with  hints  from 
which  they  could  at  length  anticipate  bringing  the  culprits  to 
justice.  A  man  named  Fontaine,  a  butcher,  living  at  La  Courtille, 
was  going  to  a  fair  in  the  district  of  Corbeil,  carrying  with  him  his 
leather  bag,  in  which  was  safely  deposited  the  sum  of  1,500 
francs ;  he  had  passed  the  Cour  de  France,  and  was  walking  on  in 
the  direction  of  Essonne,  when,  at  a  trifling  distance  from  an 
auberge  where  he  had  stopped  to  take  some  refreshment,  he  came 
up  with  two  very  well-dressed  men.  As  evening  was  approaching, 


414  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

Fontaine  was  not  sorry  to  obtain  fellow-travellers ;  he  therefore 
addressed  the  two  strangers,  who  were  not  slow  in  returning  the 
salutation,  and  a  conversation  soon  arose  between  them.  '  Good- 
evening,  gentlemen.'  said  he  to  them. — '  The  same  to  you,'  replied 
they. — 'We  shall  soon  have  night  overtake  us,'  resumed  the 
butcher. — *  We  shall,  indeed,  sir,'  answered  one  of  the  two  pedes- 
trians, '  and  at  this  season  of  the  year  we  must  not  reckon  upon 
much  assistance  from  the  twilight' 

'  I  should  care  very  little  about  it,'  added  Fontaine,  *  but,  unfor- 
tunately, I  have  still  a  considerable  distance  to  walk  to-night.' 

'  And  where  may  you  be  proceeding  to,  if  it  be  not  too  imperti- 
nent a  question  ?' 

'Where am  I  going?     Why,  to  Milley,  to  purchase  sheep.* 

'  In  that  case,  if  agreeable  to  you,  we  may  as  well  join  company; 
my  friend  and  self  are  proceeding  to  Corbeil  on  business,  so  that 
chance  has  been  most  favourable  to  us.' 

*  Agreed,'  exclaimed  the  butcher ;  '  things  could  not  have  fallen 
out  better ;  nor  shall  I  be  slow  in  profiting  by  it ;  for,  in  my  humble 
opinion,  when  one  has  money  about  one,  travelling  in  good  com- 
pany is  far  more  pleasant  than  being  quite  alone.' 

'  You  have  money  about  you,  then  ?' 

'You  are  right  there,  my  friend,  and  a  pretty  considerable 
sum  too.' 

'  Well,  we  likewise  have  large  sums ;  but  we  were  informed 
that  we  ran  no  risk,  as  this  part  of  the  country  was  considered 
perfectly  safe.' 

'  Indeed ;  I  am  glad  to  hear  it ;  but,  were  it  otherwise,  I  have 
something  here '  (showing  a  huge  stick)  '  that  would  make  a  toler- 
able resistance ;  besides,  I  think  the  most  daring  thieves  would 
hardly  have  the  courage  to  attack  three  such  formidable  antagon- 
ists as  we  should  make.' 

'  No,  no  ;  they  would  not  dare  to  meddle  with  us.' 

Conversing  thus,  the  trio  reached  the  door  of  a  small  house, 
which  the  branch  of  juniper,  decorating  the  entrance,  designated 
as  a  cabaret.  Fontaine  proposed  to  his  companions  to  take  a  bottle 
together.  They  entered,  procured  some  Beaugency  at  eight  sols 
the  flask,  and  seated  themselves  to  enjoy  it.  The  cheapness  of 
the  wine — its  harmless  nature — their  meeting  with  it  at  a  time 
when  weariness  had  begun  to  steal  over  at  least  one  of  the  party 
— were  so  many  reasons  for  lengthening  their  stay.  At  last  they 
rose  to  depart ;  and  a  general  emulation  arose  as  to  who  should 
defray  the  reckoning.  Nearly  an  hour,  during  which  more  than 
one  fresh  bottle  was  discussed,  passed  in  this  amicable  dispute, 
which,  being  at  last  yielded  in  favour  of  Fontaine,  completed 
the  elevation  of  his  spirits,  and  raised  him  to  the  highest  pitch 


THE  JOLL  Y  BUTCHER.  41 5 

of  gaiety.  Under  similar  circumstances,  what  man  could  have 
harboured  suspicion  ?  Poor  Fontaine,  delighted  at  having  met 
with  such  agreeable  companions,  thought  he  could  not  do  better 
than  take  them  as  guides  for  the  remaining  part  of  his  journey ; 
and,  in  full  confidence  of  their  integrity,  abandoned  himself  to 
their  guidance  along  the  by-road  they  were  then  travelling.  He 
walked  on,  therefore,  with  one  of  his  newly  found  friends,  whilst 
the  second  followed  close  behind  The  night  was  very  dark, 
scarcely  allowing  the  travellers  to  distinguish  one  step  before 
the  other;  but  guilt,  with  its  lynx-like  eye,  can  penetrate  the 
thickest  gloom ;  and  while  Fontaine  was  unsuspectingly  follow- 
ing the  path  recommended  by  his  companion,  the  one  who 
remained  behind  struck  him  over  the  head  a  violent  blow  with 
his  cudgel,  which  made  him  reel :  surprised,  but  not  intimidated, 
he  was  about  to  turn  round  to  defend  himself,  when  a  second 
blow,  more  fatal  than  the  first,  brought  him  to  the  ground  :  imme- 
diately the  other  robber,  armed  with  a  short  dagger,  threw  himself 
upon  him,  and  ceased  not  to  deal  out  murderous  wounds,  till 
he  believed  his  victim  had  ceased  to  exist.  Fontaine  had  yielded 
after  a  long  and  desperate  struggle,  and  lay  as  apparently  life- 
less as  his  assassins  would  have  had  him.  They  quickly  stripped 
him  of  the  contents  of  his  money-bag,  with  which  they  made 
off,  leaving  him  weltering  in  his  blood.  Happily,  it  was  not  long 
before  a  passenger,  attracted  by  his  groans,  came  to  his  succour, 
and  discovered  the  wretched  man,  whom  the  freshness  of  the 
night  air  had  recalled  to  his  senses.  After  having  rendered  him 
what  assistance  was  in  his  power,  the  stranger  hastened  to  the 
nearest  hamlet  in  search  of  farther  aid — information  was  imme- 
diately despatched  to  the  magistrates  of  Corbeil — the  attorney- 
general  arrived  without  delay  at  the  place  of  crime,  and  com- 
menced the  most  diligent  inquiries  respecting  the  slightest 
circumstances  attending  it.  Eight-and-twenty  wounds,  more  or 
less  deep,  bore  ample  testimony  how  much  the  murderers  had 
feared  that  their  victim  should  escape  them.  Spite  of  the  cruelty 
of  their  intention,  Fontaine  was  yet  able  to  utter  a  few  words, 
although  his  extreme  exhaustion  from  loss  of  blood  rendered  him 
unable  to  give  all  the  particulars  which  were  necessary  for  the 
ends  of  justice.  He  was  removed  to  the  hospital,  and  at  the  end 
of  two  days  so  favourable  a  change  took  place,  that  he  was  pro- 
nounced out  of  danger.  The  most  minute  exactitude  had  been 
observed  in  removing  the  body.  Nothing  had  been  neglected 
which  might  lead  to  the  discovery  of  the  assassins.  Accurate 
impressions  were  taken  of  the  footmarks ;  buttons,  fragments  of 
paper  dyed  in  blood,  were  carefully  collected  :  on  one  of  these 
pieces,  which  appeared  to  have  been  hastily  torn  off  to  wipe  the 


416  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

blade  of  a  knife  found  at  no  great  distance  from  it,  were  observed 
some  written  characters,  but  they  were  without  any  connecting 
sense,  and,  consequently,  unable  to  afford  any  information  likely 
to  throw  a  light  on  the  affair.  Nevertheless,  the  attorney-general 
attached  a  great  importance  to  the  explanation  of  these  fragments; 
and,  upon  more  narrowly  exploring  the  spot  where  Fontaine  had 
been  lying,  a  second  morsel  was  picked  up,  which  presented  every 
appearance  of  being  part  of  a  torn  address  :  by  dint  of  close 
examination,  the  following  words  were  deciphered  : 

*A  Monsieur  Rao  -- 


'  Marchand  de  vins,  bar 
1  Roche  - 
«  Cli  -  ' 

This  piece  of  paper  seemed  to  have  once  formed  part  of  a 
printed  address  ;  but  of  whose  address  ?  It  was  at  present  wholly 
impossible  to  make  out.  However  that  may  be,  as  no  circum- 
stance is  too  slight  to  deserve  notice  in  the  absence  of  more  sub- 
stantial proofs,  notes  were  carefully  made  of  everything  that  might 
be  hereafter  available  information.  The  magistrates  assembled  on 
this  occasion  received  the  thanks  their  extreme  zeal  and  ability  so 
fully  merited.  So  soon  as  they  had  fulfilled  this  part  of  their 
mission,  they  returned  with  all  haste  to  Paris,  in  order  to  concert 
farther  plans  with  the  judicial  and  administrative  authority.  At 
their  desire,  I  had  immediate  conference  with  them,  and,  furnished 
with  a  prods  verbal  prepared  by  them,  I  opened  the  campaign 
against  the  assassins.  Their  victim  had  sufficiently  described 
them  ;  but  how  could  I  place  implicit  reliance  on  information 
proceeding  from  such  a  source  ?  Few  men  in  imminent  danger 
can  preserve  sufficient  presence  of  mind  to  take  accurate  views  of 
all  that  is  passing  ;  and  upon  the  present  occasion  I  was  the  more 
inclined  to  doubt  the  testimony  of  Fontaine,  from  the  extreme 
nicety  with  which  he  detailed  the  most  trifling  particulars  ;  he 
related,  that  during  the  long  struggle  he  had  with  the  assailants, 
one  of  them  had  fallen  on  his  knee,  uttering  a  cry  of  pain,  and  that 
he  heard  him  moaning  and  complaining  to  his  accomplice  of  suf- 
fering extreme  pain.  Similar  remarks  to  this  which  he  pretended 
to  have  made,  appeared  to  me  very  extraordinary,  considering  the 
state  in  which  he  was  found.  I  could  not  bring  myself  to  believe 
that  he  himself  felt  quite  assured  of  the  correctness  of  his  remin- 
iscences. I  determined,  nevertheless,  to  turn  them  to  the  best 
account  I  could  ;  but  still  I  required  a  more  definite  point  to  start 
from.  The  torn  address  was,  in  my  estimation,  an  enigma,  which 
must  first  be  solved  ;  and,  to  effect  this,  I  racked  my  brains  day 
and  night,  and  at  last  felt  satisfied  that,  excepting  the  name  (re- 


TRACKING  THE  MURDERERS.  41? 

specting  which  I  had  but  few  doubts),  the  perfect  address  would 
run  thus : 

'  A  Monsieur , 

*  Marchand  de  vtns, 

1  Barriere  Rocheehouart. 
'Chausste  de  Clignancourt? 

It  was  therefore  evident  that  the  assassins  were  in  league  with  a 
wine-merchant  of  that  neighbourhood ; — perhaps  the  wine-mer- 
chant himself  was  one  of  the  perpetrators  of  the  crime.  I  set  my 
plans  to  work,  so  as  to  know  the  truth  as  quickly  as  possible ;  and 
before  the  end  of  the  day  I  was  satisfied  that  I  had  been  right  in 
directing  my  suspicions  towards  an  individual  named  Raoul.  This 
man  had  become  known  to  me  under  very  unfavourable  auspices ; 
he  passed  for  one  of  the  most  daring  traffickers  in  contraband 
goods,  and  the  cabaret  kept  by  him  had  long  been  marked  out  as 
the  rendezvous  where  a  crowd  of  suspicious  persons  nightly  cele- 
brated their  riotous  orgies.  Raoul  had,  moreover,  married  the  sister 
of  a  liberated  galley-slave,  and  I  was  informed  that  he  was  linked 
in  with  persons  of  both  sexes,  of  characters  as  desperate  as  their 
fortunes.  In  a  word,  his  reputation  was  that  of  a  loose  and  pro- 
fligate man  ;  and  whenever  a  crime  was  denounced,  if  he  had  not 
positively  participated  in  it,  all  thought  themselves  warranted  in 
saying  to  him,  '  If  it  were  not  done  by  yourself,  at  least,  it  was  the 
work  of  your  brother,  or  some  of  your  relations.' 

Raoul,  however,  contrived  to  anticipate  every  scheme  laid  for 
entrapping  him,  either  through  his  own  sagacity,  or  the  hints  of 
his  associates.  I  resolved,  as  a  first  step,  to  keep  a  careful  watch 
over  all  the  approaches  to  the  cabaret ;  and  I  charged  my  agents 
to  observe,  with  a  scrutinizing  eye,  the  different  persons  who  fre- 
quented it,  in  order  to  ascertain  whether,  amongst  the  number, 
there  might  not  be  found  one  who  was  wounded  in  the  knee 
While  my  spies  were  at  the  post  I  had  assigned  to  them,  my  own 
observations  soon  informed  me  that  Raoul  was  in  the  constant 
habit  of  receiving  at  his  house  one  or  two  persons  of  infamous 
character,  with  whom  he  seemed  upon  terms  of  the  closest  intimacy. 
The  neighbours  affirmed  that  they  were  frequently  seen  going  out 
together,  that  they  made  long  absences,  and  that  it  was  universally 
believed  that  the  greater  part  of  honest  Raoul's  profits  were  those 
drawn  from  his  dealings  in  contraband  goods.  A  wine  merchant, 
who  possessed  the  greatest  facility  of  observing  what  was  going  on 
in  Raoul's  domicile,  told  me  that  he  had  often  observed  these 
worthy  friends  stealing  from  the  house  in  the  gloom  of  the  evening, 
and  returning  at  an  early  hour  the  following  aborning,  apparently 


4i  8  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

exhausted  with  fatigue,  and  splashed  up  to  the  neck.  I  farther 
learned  that  he  had  set  up  a  target  in  his  garden,  and  was  con- 
stantly practising  firing  with  a  pistol.  Such  were  the  particulars  I 
gathered  respecting  this  notable  character  from  all  who  knew  any- 
thing of  him.  At  the  same  time  my  agents  brought  me  the  intelli- 
gence of  their  having  observed  at  the  house  of  Raoul  a  man  whom, 
for  many  reasons,  they  had  surmised  to  be  one  of  the  assassins  we 
were  in  search  of.  This  person  had  first  attracted  their  suspicions 
by  a  halt  in  his  gait,  proceeding  not  so  much  from  habitual  lame- 
ness, as  from  recent  injury ;  and  upon  farther  examination  of  his 
person  and  dress,  both  were  found  in  close  agreement  with  the 
description  given  by  Fontaine  of  one  of  the  robbers.  My  agents 
farther  informed  me  that  the  man  in  question  was  generally  accom- 
panied by  his  wife ;  and  that  both  appeared  on  the  best  possible 
terms  with  Raoul.  My  emissaries  had  succeeded  in  tracing  their 
abode,  which  was  on  the  first  floor  of  a  house  situated  in  the  Rue 
Coquenard ;  and  here,  in  the  apprehension  of  giving  the  slightest 
hint  of  their  suspicions  to  the  suspected  party,  their  investigations 
had  rested.  These  particulars  strengthened  all  my  conjectures, 
and  I  was  no  sooner  in  possession  of  them,  than  I  determined  to 
go  myself,  and  watch  near  the  house  which  had  been  described  to 
me.  It  was  now  night,  and  I  was  compelled  to  defer  my  purpose 
till  the  coming  morn ;  however,  before  the  sun  had  risen,  I  was  on 
the  lookout  in  the  Rue  Coquenard.  I  remained  there  without 
perceiving  anything  worthy  of  notice  till  four  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon, and  was  beginning  to  grow  impatient  of  the  little  success  our 
plans  seemed  likely  to  realize,  when  my  agents  pointed  out  to  me 
an  individual,  whose  features  and  name  suddenly  occurred  to  my 
memory.  '  See  !  there  he  is,'  cried  they;  and  scarcely  had  my  eyes 
glanced  over  him,  than  I  recognised  a  person  named  Court,  whom, 
from  previous  circumstances  fresh  in  my  recollection,  I  instantly  set 
down  as  one  of  the  assassins  I  was  in  search  of.  His  principles, 
which  were  of  the  most  abandoned  nature,  had  drawn  down  upon 
him,  on  many  important  occasions,  severe  consequences.  He  had 
just  been  punished  by  a  six  months'  imprisonment  for  some  frau- 
dulent act,  and  I  well  remembered  having  arrested  him  once  before 
for  a  highway  robbery.  In  a  word,  he  was  one  of  those  degraded 
beings,  who,  like  Cain,  bore  on  his  forehead  the  stamp  of  shame 
and  death.  Without  being  much  of  a  prophet,  one  might  boldly 
have  predicted  that  this  man  was  destined  to  a  scaffold.  One  of 
those  presentiments,  which  have  never  deceived  me,  told  me  that 
he  had  at  length  reached  the  term  of  that  perilous  career  to  which 
a  blind  fatality  had  conducted  him.  However,  not  wishing  to 
hazard  success  by  precipitancy,  I  inquired,  with  all  possible  caution, 
what  were  his  means  of  procuring  a  subsistence.  No  one  could 


ARREST  OF  COURT.  419 

satisfy  me ;  and  it  appeared  a  notorious  truth,  that  he  was  never 
known  either  to  possess  a  shilling  or  to  have  any  ostensible  method 
of  earning  one.  The  neighbours,  when  questioned,  assured  me 
that  he  led  a  most  dissolute  life,  and,  in  fact,  was  considered  as 
a  person  of  extremely  bad  connections  and  pursuits  ;  his  very  looks 
would  have  condemned  him  in  a  court  of  justice  ;  and  for  my 
own  self,  who  had  such  powerful  reasons  for  concluding  both  him- 
self and  his  confederate  Raoul  to  be  finished  rogues  and  highway- 
men, it  may  be  readily  supposed  I  lost  no  time  in  applying  for 
warrants  for  their  apprehension.  The  necessary  papers  were  no 
sooner  asked  for  than  given ;  and  the  very  next  morning,  almost 
before  daylight  appeared,  I  repaired  to  the  house  where  Court 
lodged ;  having  ascended  the  stairs  till  I  reached  the  landing- 
place  on  the  first  floor,  I  knocked  at  his  door. 

'  Who  is  there  ?'  asked  a  voice  from  within. 

'  Who  should  it  be  but  Raoul  ?'  said  I,  imitating  the  voice  of 
the  latter  ;  '  come,  come  friend,  open  the  door.' 

'  Well,  don't  be  in  a  hurry  then,'  answered  he ;  and  listening,  I 
could  distinctly  hear  the  hasty  movements  of  some  one  preparing 
to  unfasten  the  door,  which  was  no  sooner  unclosed,  than  believing 
he  was  speaking  to  his  friend  Raoul,  '  Well,'  exclaimed  he,  '  what 
news  ?  anything  fresh  turned  up  ?' 

'  Yes,  yes,'  replied  I,  *  I  have  a  thousand  things  to  say  to  you  ;' 
but  by  this,  through  the  glimmer  of  morning  twilight,  he  discovered 
his  error,  and  cried  out,  in  a  voice  expressive  of  the  greatest  alarm, 
'  Bless  me,  if  it  is  not  M.  Jules  !'  (This  was  the  name  by  which 
I  was  generally  called  by  common  women  and  thieves.) 

'  M.  Jules  !'  repeated  the  wife  of  Court,  still  more  alarmed  than 
her  husband. 

1  Suppose  it  is  M.  Jules,'  said  I,  '  why  should  that  frighten  you  ? 
The  devil  is  never  so  black  as  he  is  painted.' 

1  To  be  sure,'  observed  the  husband  ;  *  M.  Jules  is  a  good  fellow ; 
and  although  he  nabbed  me  once,  never  mind,  I  owe  him  no  ill- 
will  for  it' 

*  1  know  that,  my  regular J  said  I ;  '  besides,  why  should  you  be 
angry  with  me  ?  is  it  my  fault  if  you  do  a  bit  of  moonlight  T 

1  Moonlight !  Ah  !'  replied  Court,  with  the  accent  of  a  man 
who  felt  himself  all  at  once  relieved  of  the  weight  of  a  mountain  • 
'  moonlight !  Oh,  M.  Jules,  if  it  were  so,  you  know  very  well  I  should 
make  no  secret  of  it  with  you ;  however,  you  are  welcome  to  look 
about  you,  and  see  what  is  to  be  seen.' 

Whilst  he  was  every  moment  becoming  more  tranquil  as  to  the 
nature  of  my  visit,  I  proceeded  to  turn  over  everything  in  the 
apartment,  in  which  I  found  a  pair  of  pistols  ready  loaded  and 

27—2 


420  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

primed ;  some  knives ;  clothes,  which  appeared  to  have  been 
recently  washed  ;  with  several  other  articles,  all  of  which  I  seized. 
There  now  only  remained  to  put  the  finishing  stroke  to  my  ex- 
pedition, by  arresting  both  husband  and  wife  ;  for,  to  have  allowed 
either  of  them  to  remain  at  large,  would  have  insured  the  destruc- 
tion of  my  plan  for  entrapping  Raoul,  who  would  have  learned 
from  them  sufficient  to  defeat  my  scheme.  I  therefore  conducted 
them  both  to  the  station  in  the  Place  Cadet.  Court,  whom  I  had 
pinioned,  relapsed  all  of  a  sudden  into  his  original  terror  and  be- 
came gloomy  and  pensive.  The  precautions  taken  by  me  rendered 
him  uneasy,  and  his  wife  appeared  to  participate  in  his  terrible  re- 
flections. Their  consternation  was  complete,  when,  upon  our 
arrival  at  the  guard-house,  they  heard  me  give  orders  that  they 
should  be  kept  apart  and  carefully  watched.  I  directed  that  they 
should  be  plentifully  supplied  with  food ;  but  they  were  neither 
hungry  nor  thirsty.  Whenever  Court  was  questioned  en  the  sub- 
ject, a  mournful  shake  of  the  head  was  the  only  answer  returned ; 
and  eighteen  hours  elapsed  without  his  opening  his  lips.  His  eye 
was  fixed  and  heavy,  and  his  whole  countenance  rigid  and  im- 
movable. This  impassibility  convinced  me  but  too  well  that  he 
was  guilty.  Under  similar  circumstances  I  have  almost  always 
observed  the  two  extremes,  a  profound  silence,  or  an  extreme 
volubility.  Court  and  his  wife  being  in  a  place  of  safety,  my  next 
business  was  to  seize  Raoul.  I  immediately  repaired  to  his 
cabaret ;  he  was  not  at  home.  The  waiter  left  in  charge  of  the 
house  told  me  that  he  had  slept  in  Paris,  where  he  possessed  a 
small  country-seat ;  but  that  being  Sunday,  he  would  be  sure  to 
return  home  quite  early.  This  absence  of  Raoul  was  a  mischance 
I  had  not  calculated  upon,  and  I  trembled,  lest  on  his  way  home 
the  whim  might  have  seized  him  of  calling  upon  his  friend  Court. 
In  that  case  he  would  of  course  have  learned  his  arrest ;  and  the 
knowledge  of  that  might  put  him  too  much  on  his  guard  to  enable 
me  to  lay  hold  of  him.  I  feared  likewise  that  he  might  have  had 
a  view  of  our  expedition  from  the  Rue  Coquenard ;  and  my  appre- 
hensions were  redoubled  when  the  waiter  told  me  that  his  master's 
country-house  was  in  the  Faubourg  Montmartre.  He  had  never 
been  at  it,  and  could  not  point  out  the  road  to  me,  but  he  believed 
it  was  in  the  close  vicinity  of  the  Place  Cadet.  Every  additional 
particular  I  derived  from  him  redoubled  my  fears,  and  led  me  to 
attribute  the  unusual  absence  of  Raoul  from  his  business  to  his 
having  got  scent  of  my  intentions  towards  him.  At  nine  o'clock 
he  had  not  returned ;  and  the  waiter,  whom  I  questioned  as  closely 
as  I  could  do,  without  allowing  him  to  see  into  my  designs,  ap- 
peared all  wonder  and  uneasiness  that  his  master  should  delay  his 
return  upon  so  busy  a  day  as  Sunday  invariably  was  with  them. 


RAOUL.  421 

Even  the  servant,  who  was  busied  in  preparing  the  breakfast  I  had 
ordered  for  myself  and  my  agents,  expressed  her  surprise  at  her 
master,  and  still  more  her  mistress,  being  so  much  less  exact  to 
their  usual  hour  for  appearing  than  she  had  ever  known  them.  *  If 
I  only  knew  where  to  send  to,'  said  the  poor  woman,  *  I  would  cer- 
tainly inquire  whether  any  accident  can  have  befallen  them.' 

Although  fully  persuaded  that  her  fears  were  without  foundation, 
I  felt  as  much  at  a  loss  as  the  whole  household  to  guess  the  reason 
of  his  non-appearance.  Twelve  o'clock  struck,  still  no  tidings  had 
reached  us,  and  I  began  really  to  believe  that  the  train  had  blown 
up,  when  the  waiter,  who  had  for  the  last  half-hour  been  posted 
sentry  before  the  door,  came  running  towards  me,  crying  out, 
'  Here  he  is  ;  here  he  comes  !' 

*  Who  wants  me  ?'  asked  Raoul  as  he  entered.     But  scarcely 
had   his  foot  crossed  the  threshold,  than,  recognising  me,  he  ex- 
claimed :  *  Bless  me,  Jules  !  why,  what  brings  you  in  our  neigh- 
bourhood this  morning?'     He  had  evidently  not  the  slightest  sus- 
picion that  it  was  on  his  account  I  had  come,  and  I  endeavoured 
to  lead  him  still  farther  from  guessing  the  true  nature  of  my  visit. 
'  So,  friends  !'  said  I,  '  you  are  a  liberal,  are  you  ?'     *  A  liberal? 

f  Yes,  even  so  ;  and  you  are  farther  accused ;  but  this  is 

no  place  for  conversation.     Can  I  speak  to  you  alone  ?' 

*  Certainly ;  step  up  to  the  room  on  the  first  floor,  and  I  will 
follow  you  in  a  minute.' 

I  did  so,  after  having  by  signs  instructed  my  agents  to  keep  a 
strict  eye  over  Raoul,  and  to  take  him  into  custody  if  he  discovered 
the  least  disposition  to  quit  the  house.  However,  the  unhappy 
man  had  no  intention  of  escape,  for  in  a  very  few  minutes  he 
joined  me,  and,  with  a  look  and  manner  expressive  of  jovial  con- 
tent, desired  I  would  let  him  into  the  mighty  mystery  of  my  pro- 
ceedings. 

'  Well,  then,'  said  I,  '  now  that  we  can  converse  without  inter- 
ruption, I  will  frankly  explain  the  cause  of  my  present  visit.  But 
tell  me  first,  can  you  not  partly  guess  it  ?* 

*  Not  I,  upon  my  honour.' 

*  You  have  already  experienced  great  inconveniences  on  account 
of  those  singing  clubs,  which  you  have  persisted  in  holding  in  your 
cabaret,  spite  of  the  formal  prohibition  issued  by  the  police  against 
them.     Information  has  been  given  that  every  Sunday  there  are 
meetings  held  in  your  house,  at  which  seditious  toasts  and  songs 
libelling  Government  are  permitted.     Not  only  is  it  known  that 
you  countenance  the  assembling  of  a  mass  of  suspicious  characters, 
but  it  is  understood  that  this  very  day  a  more  than  usual  number 
is  expected  to  collect  within  these  walls  from  twelve  to  four  o'clock. 
You  see  there  is  no  blinding  the  police  as  to  your  goings  on.  This 


422  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

is  not  all ;  you  are  farther  accused  of  having  in  your  possession  a 
vast  quantity  of  disloyal  and  immoral  songs,  which  are  so  carefully 
concealed  by  you,  that  my  orders  were  not  to  appear  before  you 
except  in  a  disguise,  that  would  have  prevented  your  recognising 
my  person,  and  to  defer  my  operation  till  the  gentlemen  of  the 
singing  club  should  have  opened  their  meeting.  I  am  truly  con- 
cerned to  be  charged  with  so  very  unpleasant  a  mission.  Had  I 
been  apprised  that  you  were  the  person  alluded  to,  I  should  most 
certainly  have  declined  the  office :  for  with  you,  what  would  a  dis- 
guise avail  me  ?' 

Raoul  smiled  :  '  I  think,  Master  Jules,'  said  he,  '  I  should  have 
been  much  amused  at  seeing  you  attempt  to  deceive  me  thai  way/ 

1  Still,'  continued  I,  *  it  is  better  for  you  that  I  should  be  em- 
ployed on  this  business  than  a  stranger ;  you  know  very  well  that 
I  have  no  ill-will  against  you.  So  take  my  advice,  and  give  me  up 
every  song  in  your  possession :  and  farther,  to  dispel  the  present 
doubts  against  you,  refuse  admission  to  every  person  whose  pre- 
sence here  might,  in  the  most  trifling  degree,  compromise  your 
safety.' 

'  Upon  my  word,'  said  Raoul,  '  I  had  no  notion  before  how  deep 
a  politician  you  were.' 

'  Why,  as  to  that,  friend,'  cried  I,  '  a  little  of  everything  is  a  use- 
ful trade,  and  I  for  one  find  that  if  I  desire  to  get  on  in  this  world, 
I  must  be  able  to  ride  on  any  saddle.' 

*  Well/  replied  Raoul,  '  you  can't  help  it,  Master  Jules,  but  as 
true  as  my  name  is  Clair  Raoul,  I  swear  to  you  that  I  am  wrongly 
accused.     People  have  surely  gone  mad  !    I,  who  think  of  nothing 
but  just  how  to  earn  a  bit  of  honest  bread !     What  a  world  is  this ! 
Nothing  but  envy  and  spite  against  those  who  seem  likely  to  meet 
with  anything  like  success  ! — however,  M.  Jules,  if  you  doubt  my 
word,  you  can  easily  judge  for  yourself— just  make  up  your  mind 
to  stay  here  with  your  people  ;  observe  us  well  throughout  the  day, 
and  form  your  own  opinion  of  our  principles  and  loyalty.' 

'  Agreed,'  said  I,  '  but  hark  ye,  friend  Raoul,  no  gammon,  if  you 
please  ;  you  are  just  the  chap  to  destroy  all  these  objectionable 
songs,  and  nothing  would  be  easier  than  for  you  to  give  a  hint  to 
your  company,  that  would  effectually  silence  the  singers  from  com- 
mitting themselves  in  my  hearing/ 

*  Who  do  you  take  me  for,  sir  ?'  exclaimed  Raoul,  with  quick- 
ness.    '  I  am  incapable  of  such  conduct ;  if  I  promise  you  to  let 
everything  proceed  as  if  you  were  not  present,  nothing  could  in- 
duce me  to  deviate  from  it ;  you  can  either  believe  me  or  not,  at 
your  pleasure,  but  to  convince  you  of  my  honour  in  the  business, 
you  shall  remain  by  my  side  the  whole  of  the  day ;  I  pledge  my- 
self not  to  breathe  one  word  respecting  you  to  a  living  soul,  not 


RAOUL,  423 

even  to  my  wife  when  she  comes  home,  so  that  you  may  be  very 
sure ; — however,  you  will,  I  hope,  see  no  objection  to  my  attend- 
ing to  my  customers  as  usual.' 

'  Assuredly  not ;  let  everything  go  on  as  usual,  and  to  lull  all 
suspicion  I  don't  care  if  I  lend  you  a  helping  hand.' 

*  Your  offer  is  too  agreeable  to  be  refused,'  replied  Raoul :  *  so 
if  you  please,  M.  Jules,  we  will  proceed  to  work  at  once.' 

1  Come  on  then,'  said  I,  and  we  descended  the  stairs  together. 
Raoul  prepared  his  huge  carving-knife,  and,  with  my  sleeves  tucked 
up,  and  a  napkin  fastened  before  me,  I  aided  him  in  carving  the 
veal,  which,  with  the  accompaniment  of  sorrel  sauce,  was  destined 
for  the  banquet  of  the  Luculluses  of  the  cabaret  From  the  ve;<l 
we  proceeded  to  the  mutton  ;  we  set  out  some  dozens  of  chops  in 
the  most  tempting  manner,  and  trimmed  up  the  leg,  that  delicate 
morsel  so  generally  relished  and  longed  for.  I  next  assisted  in 
preparing  some  turkeys  for  the  spit,  after  which  we  cleared  away 
the  litter,  and  repaired  to  the  wine-cellar,  where  I  made  myself 
equally  useful,  by  helping  my  companion  to  manufacture  genuine 
wine  at  six  sols  the  flask.  During  this  operation  I  was  quite  alone 
with  Raoul,  who  passed  me  off  to  every  one  as  his  most  intimate 
friend.  I  stuck  as  close  to  him  as  his  very  shadow,  and  he  himself 
appeared  as  unable  to  dispense  with  me  as  with  his  large  carving- 
knife.  I  must  confess  that  several  times  I  trembled  lest  he  should 
suspect  the  motive  of  my  watching  him  so  closely ;  had  he  done 
so,  he  would  certainly  have  murdered  me,  and  I  must  have 
perished  beneath  his  violence,  without  any  human  creature  being 
able  to  assist  me  ;  happily  he  saw  in  me  only  a  familiar  of  the 
political  inquisition,  and  as  to  the  seditious  imputations  urged 
against  him,  he  was  perfectly  at  his  ease.  Up  to  four  o'clock  I 
continued  my  assistance  as  second  in  office,  when  the  commissary 
of  police,  whom  I  had  informed  of  the  affair,  arrived  I  was  on 
the  ground-floor,  when  I  perceived  him  at  a  distance,  and  hasten- 
ing to  him,  I  begged  he  would  not  make  his  appearance  for  a  few 
minutes.  I  then  returned  to  Raoul,  and  affecting  to  be  exceed- 
ingly angry,  '  The  devil  take  them  !'  cried  I ;  *  the  police  have  just 
sent  to  me  to  say  that  our  business  lies  at  your  house  in  Paris,  and 
that  we  must  remove  thither  instantly.' 

*  Oh,  if  that  be  all,'  said  Raoul,  *  let  us  go  there  at  once.' 

*  Yes,'  replied  I,  *  and  when  we  are  there  we  shall  be  ordered 
back  again  here ;  faith,  they  do  not  stand  very  nice  as  to  the 
trouble  they  give  us  with  the  contradictory  orders ;  if  I  were  in 
your  place,  since  we  are  in  your  house,  I  would  send  to  request 
the  commissary  of  police  to  allow  your  premises  to  be  searched  ; 
it  would  be  a  convincing  argument  that  you  were  wrongly  accused.' 

Raoul  applauded  this  advice  as  most  excellent,  did  as  I  recom- 


424  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

mended,  and  having  obtained  the  commissary's  consent,  the 
strictest  search  took  place,  without,  however,  its  producing  any- 
thing to  criminate  him. 

*  Well,'  cried  he  (when  the  whole  was  concluded),  with  that  tone 
of  exultation  which  might  have  sprung  from  a  man  of  conscious 
integrity  ;  '  well,  gentlemen,  I  hope  you  are  now  satisfied.  Upon 
my  word,  I  do  not  think  myself  at  all  well  used  to  be  suspected 
and  searched  in  this  manner.  Why,  you  could  not  have  done 
more  had  I  committed  murder  !' 

The  assurance  with  which  the  latter  part  of  the  sentence  was 
pronounced  really  startled  me,  and  for  a  moment  I  repented  of 
having  ever  suspected  him,  but  the  many  reasons  I  had  for  con- 
cluding him  guilty  quickly  effaced  my  regret.  Still,  it  was  frightful 
to  consider  that  a  robber  and  murderer  like  himself,  whose  hands 
were  yet  reeking  with  the  blood  of  his  victim,  could,  without  a 
shudder,  utter  words  which  thus  recalled  his  guilt.  Raoul  was 
calm  and  almost  triumphant  in  his  manner ;  and  when  we  were 
seated  in  the  hackney-coach  which  was  to  transport  us  to  Paris, 
an  indifferent  spectator  might  have  supposed  he  was  proceeding 
to  a  festival ;  he  rubbed  his  hands,  and  said  with  all  the  glee 
imaginable,  '  I  am  thinking  how  my  wife  will  be  astonished  at  see- 
ing me  return  to  her  in  such  good  company.'  It  happened  to  be 
his  wife  who  opened  the  door  ;  at  the  sight  of  us  her  countenance 
underwent  not  the  slightest  alteration ;  she  presented  us  with 
seats,  but  aswe  had  but  little  time  to  lose,  the  commissary  and  myself 
immediately  set  to  work  to  perform  our  task  of  examining  the 
house.  Raoul  did  not  appear  desirous  of  quitting  us  for  a  moment, 
but  guided  us  through  our  search  with  the  utmost  complaisance. 
In  order  to  give  a  colouring  to  the  story  I  had  first  told  him,  we 
affected  the  greatest  solicitude  respecting  his  papers ;  he  gave  me 
the  key  of  his  escritoire.  I  seized  upon  a  bundle  of  papers,  and 
the  first  upon  which  I  cast  my  eyes  was  a  direction,  part  of  which 
had  been  torn  off.  Instantly  the  shape  of  the  torn  fragment,  on 
which  was  written  the  address  found  on  the  place  of  murder,  and 
affixed  by  the  magistrates  of  Corbeil  to  their  prods  verbal,  occurred 
to  my  recollection.  The  piece  now  before  me  had  evidently 
formed  part  of  it.  The  commissary,  to  whom  I  communicated  my 
opinion,  coincided  with  me  in  it.  Raoul  had  at  first  seen  us  take 
up  the  note  and  examine  it  with  perfect  indifference :  possibly, 
he  might  not  himself  recollect,  just  at  that  moment,  its  fatal  signifi- 
cation ;  but  as  he  observed  our  scrutiny  more  and  more  directed 
to  it,  his  memory  evidently  refreshed  him  with  its  full  force :  his 
countenance  changed  in  an  instant ;  the  muscles  of  his  face  con- 
tracted ;  a  ghastly  paleness  came  over  him  ;  and  springing  towards 
a  drawer  in  which  were  his  loaded  pistols,  he  endeavoured  to  seize 


ARREST  OF  RAOUL.  425 

them  ;  when,  by  an  equally  rapid  movement,  my  agents  and  my- 
self threw  ourselves  upon  him,  and  soon  deprived  him  of  all  power 
of  resistance.  It  was  nearly  midnight  when  Raoul  and  his  wife 
were  conducted  to  the  prefecture ; — Court  arrived  there  a  quarter 
of  an  hour  afterwards.  The  two  accomplices  were  separately  con- 
fined. Up  to  this  period  there  had  been  nothing  but  presumptive 
evidence  against  them  ;  I  therefore  undertook  to  obtain  their  own 
confession  whilst  they  remained  in  their  first  stupor.  It  was  on 
Court  that  I  first  employed  my  eloquence.  I  worked  him,  as  it  is 
called,  in  every  possible  way.  I  used  every  species  of  argument 
to  convince  him  that  it  was  to  his  own  interest  to  make  a  full 
avowal. 

1  Take  my  advice/  said  I  to  him,  '  declare  the  truth  of  the 
matter ;  why  should  you  persist  in  endeavouring  to  conceal  what 
is  known  to  everyone  ?  you  will  find,  by  the  very  first  question  put 
to  you  at  your  examination,  that  your  judges  are  much  better  in- 
formed than  you  think  for — death  has  not  sealed  the  lips  of  all  the 
persons  you  have  attacked.  Many  of  those  you  believed  your 
victims  will  produce  overwhelming  proofs  against  you  ;  you  may  be 
silent  if  you  please,  but  your  silence  will  not  prevent  your  condem- 
nation :  public  execution  is  not  all  you  expose  yourself  to;  think 
of  the  punishments  and  severity  with  which  your  obstinacy  will  be 
visited  ;  justly  irritated  against  you,  the  magistrates  will  show  you 
no  mercy  up  to  the  hour  of  execution ;  you  will  be  watched,  tor- 
mented, worse  even  than  by  the  tortures  of  a  slow  consuming  fire  : 
if  you  persist  in  your  obstinate  refusal  to  make  a  full  confession, 
your  prison  will  be  a  perfect  hell  to  you.  On  the  contrary,  by 
avowing  your  past  iniquities,  expressing  sorrow  and  contrition  for 
them,  and  meeting  your  fate  with  resignation  (since  you  cannot 
hope  to  escape  from  it),  you  will  at  least  have  a  chance  of  exciting 
the  pity  of  mankind,  and  the  humane  consideration  of  those  ap- 
pointed to  try  you.' 

I  had  carefully  forborne  mentioning  to  Court  of  what  murder 
he  was  accused ;  fully  impressed  with  the  idea  of  his  having  been 
accessory  to  more  than  one,  I  avoided  specifying  that  of  which  he 
then  stood  charged.  I  hoped  that,  by  using  only  vague  words, 
and  refraining  from  every  precise  detail,  I  might  be  enabled  to  draw 
him  on  to  the  confession  of  other  crimes  besides  the  one  for  which 
he  was  then  in  custody.  Court  reflected  for  a  moment — *  Well, 
then,'  said  he,  'since  you  advise  it,  I  acknowledge  that  it  was  I  who 
murdered  the  travelling  poulterer  — Why,  his  soul  must  have  stuck 
faster  to  his  body  than  I  guessed  it  could — poor  devil ;  and  did  he 
really  come  back  to  life  after  such  a  dressing  as  I  gave  him  ?  I'll 
tell  you,  M.  Jules,  how  the  thing  happened,  and  I  wish  I  may  die  if  I 
tell  a  lie  about  it ; — A  number  of  Normans  were  returning  home, 


426  MEMOIRS  OP   VIDOCQ. 

after  having  sold  their  wares  at  Paris.  I  fancied  they  must  be 
loaded  with  money,  and,  in  consequence,  lay  in  wait  for  them.  I 
stopped  the  first  two  who  came  by,  but  found  little  or  nothing 
upon  them.  I  was  at  that  time  in  the  most  extreme  necessity: 
want  drove  me  on  to  the  deed,  for  my  wife  was  destitute  of  every- 
thing, and. the  thoughts  of  her  wretched  state  wrung  my  heart.  At 
last,  whilst  I  was  giving  myself  up  to  despair,  I  heard  the  noise  of 
wheels ;  I  hastened  to  meet  it ;  it  was  a  poulterer's  cart ;  the  poor 
wretch  was  half  asleep  when  I  called  to  him  to  deliver  up  his 
purse.  He  emptied  his  pockets.  I  felt  in  them  myself,  but  his 
whole  possessions  were  80  francs  ! — 80  francs  !  What  was  that  to 
me,  who  was  in  debt  to  everyone  ?  I  owed  two  quarters'  rent, 
and  my  landlord  was  hourly  threatening  to  turn  us  out  of  doors. 
To  heighten  my  misery,  I  was  dunned  by  other  creditors  equally 
merciless.  What  was  I  to  do  with  this  paltry  supply  of  80  francs  ? 
Rage  took  possession  of  me.  I  seized  my  pistols,  and,  without 
one  moment's  reflection,  discharged  them  both  at  my  gentleman's 
heart.  A  fortnight  afterwards  I  learned  that  he  still  lived  !  you 
may  imagine,  therefore,  that  my  present  situation  does  not  surprise 
me ;  for,  since  the  moment  I  have  been  describing  to  you,  I  have 
never  enjoyed  one  hour's  peace,  in  the  fear  of  his  paying  me  off 
sooner  or  later.' 

*  Your  fears  were  well  founded,'  said  I,   '  but  this  unfortunate 
dealer  in  poultry  is  not  your  only  victim  ;  what  do  you  expect  from 
the  butcher  whom  you  pieiced  through  and  through  with  your 
knife,  after  having  carried  off  his  purse  ?' 

'Oh,  as  to  that,'  exclaimed  the  villain,  ' may  God  receive  his 
soul !  I  will  answer  for  it,  that  if  he  witnesses  against  me,  it  can 
only  be  at  the  last  judgment.' 

*  You  are  mistaken,  the  butcher  did  not  die  of  his  wounds,  any 
more  than  the  former  victim  you  were  speaking  of.' 

1  Ah  !  so  much  the  better,'  cried  Court. 

'  No,  he  lives ;  and  I  must  warn  you  that  he  has  pointed  out 
both  you  and  your  accomplices,  in  a  manner  too  distinct  to  admit 
of  any  mistake.' 

Court  endeavoured  to  persist  in  affirming  that  he  had  no  accom- 
plices ;  but  he  became  weary  of  his  own  falsehood,  and  at  length 
admitted  that  Clair  Raoul  had  participated  in  the  crime  for  which 
he  was  accused.  I  urged  him  (but  in  vain)  to  name  others  as 
well :  he  maintained  the  same  story,  and  I  was  compelled  to  con- 
tent myself  with  what  I  had  already  drawn  from  him ;  however, 
in  the  fear  of  his  retracting,  I  summoned  the  commissary,  in  whose 
presence  Court  repeated,  and  even  enlarged  upon,  what  he  had 
previously  told  me.  To  have  brought  Court  to  an  acknowledg- 
ment of  his  crime,  and  to  obtain  from  him  a  written  declaration 


RAOUL  ASLEEP.  437 

of  it,  was  no  doubt  an  important  point  gained  ;  but  a  more  diffi 
cult  battle  remained  to  be  fought  ere  Raoul  could  be  persuaded  to 
follow  his  example.  To  effect  this,  I  stole  softly  to  the  room  in 
which  he  was  confined.  He  was  sleeping ;  and,  stepping  cautiously 
in  the  fear  of  awaking  him,  I  placed  myself  beside  him,  and 
whispered  gently  in  his  ear,  in  the  hope  of  leading  him,  as  under 
the  influence  of  a  dream,  to  answer  the  questions  thus  put  to  him. 
Without  raising  the  low  tone  in  which  I  had  first  addressed  him,  I 
interrogated  him  as  to  the  particulars  of  the  murder.  Some  unin- 
telligible words  escaped  him,  but  it  was  impossible  to  make  any 
sense  of  them.  This  scene  lasted  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  an  hour, 
when,  at  my  asking  him  *  What  became  of  the  knife  with  which 
you  murdered  your  victim  ?'  he  gave  a  sudden  start,  uttered  some 
inarticulate  sounds,  and,  flinging  himself  from  the  bed  on  which 
he  was  lying,  opened  his  wild  and  glaring  eyes  full  upon  me,  as  if 
he  dreaded  the  apparition  of  some  horrid  vision.  From  the  terror 
and  astonishment  with  which  he  continued  to  regard  me,  even 
after  he  had  recognised  my  person,  it  might  easily  be  perceived 
that  he  dreaded  my  having  been  the  witness  to  his  late  severe 
internal  struggle,  and  I  could  readily  see  in  his  eyes  the  eagerness 
with  which  he  sought  to  divine  how  far  his  restless  guilty  con- 
science had  betrayed  him  during  his  unquiet  slumbers.  A  cold 
perspiration  covered  his  face,  he  was  deathly  pale,  and  whilst  he 
endeavoured  to  force  a  smile,  his  teeth  chattered  and  ground 
together  in  spite  of  him  ;  he  presented  an  exact  representation  of 
a  damned  spirit  in  all  the  tortures  of  an  agonizing  conscience — a 
second  Orestes  pursued  by  the  Furies.  Ere  the  last  vapours  of  his 
uneasy  dreams  had  passed  away,  I  wished  to  turn  the  circumstances 
to  account ;  it  was  not  the  first  time  I  had  called  the  nightmare 
to  my  aid. 

'  You  appear,'  said  I  to  Raoul,  '  to  have  had  a  frightful  dream ; 
you  have  been  talking  a  great  deal,  and  seemed  to  be  in  great 
pain  ;  I  could  not  bear  to  see  you  suffer  so  much,  and  woke  you  to 
dispel  the  anguish  and  remorse  to  which  you  seemed  a  prey.  Do 
not  feel  displeased  at  this  language — it  is  in  vain  to  dissimulate 
farther  ;  the  confessions  of  your  friend,  Court,  have  informed  us  of 
everything — justice  is  in  full  possession  of  every  circumstance 
relative  to  the  crime  whereof  you  are  accused  Do  not  seek  to 
palliate  your  participation  in  it, — the  evidence  of  your  accomplice 
cannot  be  invalidated  by  anything  you  can  say  ;  if  you  seek  to  save 
yourself  by  a  system  of  denial,  the  voice  of  your  unhappy  asso- 
ciate will  confound  you  in  the  presence  of  your  judges ;  and  if 
that  be  not  sufficient,  the  butcher  whom  you  murdered  near  Milly 
will  appear  as  your  accuser.' 

At  these  words  I  steadily  examined  the  countenance  of  Raoul; 


423  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

a  slight  discomposure  was  observable  in  his  features,  but  it  soon 
passed  away,  and  recovering  himself,  he  replied  with  firmness  : — 

•  M.  Jules,  you  are  trying  to  entrap  me ;  you  only  throw  away  your 
time;  you  are  deep  and  cunning,  but  I  know  my  own  innocence. 
As  to  what  you  say  of  Court,  you  will  not  persuade  me  that  he  is 
guilty  ;  still  less  do   I  believe  that  he  can  have  implicated  my 
name,  when  there  exists  not  the  slightest  appearance  of  probability 
of  his  doing  so.' 

I  again  declared  to  Raoul  that  it  was  useless  for  him  to  seek  to 
conceal  the  truth  from  me — *  Well,  then,'  said  I,  '  if  nothing  else 
will  do,  you  shall  be  confronted  with  your  friend ;  we  shall  then 
see  whether  you  will  venture  to  persist  in  denying  the  facts  he  has 
sworn  to.' 

'  Let  him  come,'  cried  Raoul,  *  I  do  not  ask  for  anything  better  ; 
I  am  confident  that  Court  is  incapable  of  a  bad  or  dishonourable 
action. — Why  should  he  accuse  himself  of  a  crime  he  has  not 
committed,  and  implicate  me  in  it  for  mere  wantonness  ?  unless, 
indeed,  he  has  lost  his  senses,  which  is  not  very  likely. — Hark  ye, 
M.  Jules  ;  I  am  so  certain  of  what  I  assert,  that  if  he  says  he  com- 
mitted this  murder,  and  that  I  had  a  share  in  it,  I  consent  to  pass 
for  the  greatest  scoundrel  that  ever  walked  the  earth. — I  will 
acknowledge,  as  true,  whatever  he  may  say ;  and  I  farther  engage, 
either  to  clear  my  innocence  through  his  means,  or  to  ascend  the 
same  scaffold  with  him. — I  do  not  dread  the  guillotine,  whether 
its  blow  descend  for  this  or  any  other  offence ;  if  Court  confirms 
what  you  have  said,  be.it  so — all  is  over — the  veil  is  raised,  and 
two  heads  will  fall  at  once.' 

I  quitted  him  in  these  dispositions,  and  went  to  propose  the  in- 
terview with  his  comrade  :  this  latter,  however,  refused,  declaring 
that,  after  the  confession  he  had  made,  he  had  not  the  courage  to 
encounter  Raoul. — *  Since  I  have  regularly  signed  and  attested  my 
deposition,'  said  he, '  let  it  be  read  to  him,  it  will  suffice  to  convince 
him  ;  besides,  he  will  recognise  my  writing.' 

This  repugnance,  which  I  was  far  from  expecting,  vexed  me  so 
much  the  more,  as  I  have  frequently  known  the  thoughts  of  a  man 
arraigned  of  crime  to  change  in  an  instant  from  one  opinion  to  the 
opposite  extreme.  I  exerted  all  my  influence  to  overcome  Court's 
objections,  and  at  length  succeeded  in  deciding  him  to  act  as  I 
wished.  After  a  trifling  delay,  the  two  friends  found  themselves 
in  each  other's  presence  :  they  embraced  ;  and  the  ingenuity  of 
Court  suggested  a  ruse  by  which  to  palliate  his  having  involved 
his  coadjutor  in  his  acknowledgment  of  guilt;  and  this,  without 
having  originated  in  my  advice,  materially  assisted  my  plans  : — 

*  Friend  Raoul,'  said  Court,  '  I  am  informed  you  have  followed  my 
sample,  and  made  a  full  confession  of  our  unfortunate  crime.     It 


ARRIVAL  AT  CURBEIL.  429 

was  the  very  best  thing  we  could  either  of  us  do ;  for,  as  M.  Jules 
observes,  there  are  too  many  convincing  proofs  against  us,  to  make 
farther  denial  of  any  avail.' 

The  person  to  whom  these  words  were  addressed  stood  for  an 
instant  as  if  petrified  with  astonishment ;  but,  quickly  gathering 
his  spirits,— '  Faith,  M.  Jules  !'  exclaimed  he,  'you  have  managed 
well — we  are  both  completely  drawn !  Now,  then,  as  I  am  a  man 
of  my  word,  I  will  keep  that  I  gave  you,  by  concealing  nothing ;' 
and  immediately  he  began  a  recital  which  fully  confirmed  that  of 
his  associate.  These  new  revelations  having  received  the  usual 
forms  of  law,  I  remained  in  conversation  with  the  two  assassins, 
who  bore  their  part  in  it  with  inexhaustible  mirth  and  hilarity, 
the  general  effect  of  confession  with  the  greatest  criminals.  I 
supped  with  them,  and  although  they  ate  heartily  they  drank  very 
moderately.  Their  countenances  had  resumed  their  usual  calm- 
ness, and  no  vestige  was  perceptible  of  the  late  catastrophe  \  they 
looked  upon  it  as  a  settled  thing,  that  by  their  confession  they  had 
undertaken  to  pay  their  debt  to  offended  justice.  After  supper  I 
informed  them  that  we  should  set  out  in  the  night  for  Corbeil. 
'  In  that  case,'  said  Raoul,  '  it  is  not  worth  while  going  to  bed  ;' 
and  he  begged  of  me  to  procure  him  a  pack  of  cards.  When  the 
vehicle  which  was  to  convey  us  was  ready,  they  were  as  deeply  en- 
gaged with  their  game  of  piquet  as  any  two  peaceful  citizens  of 
Paris  could  have  been.  They  ascended  the  carriage  without 
appearing  to  suffer  the  least  emotion  at  so  doing,  and  we  had 
scarcely  reached  the  Barriere  dTtalie,  when  they  were  happily 
asleep  and  snoring ;  nor  had  they  aroused  themselves  when,  at 
eight  o'clock  in  the  morning,  we  entered  CorbeiL 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

Arrival  at  Corbeil — Popular  legends— Poulailler  and  Captain  Picard — The 
dealer  in  turkeys — General  Beufort — Public  opinion  on  myself — Terror  of 
a  sous  prefet — Assassins  and  their  victim — Important  discoveries,  etc. 

THE  noise  of  our  arrival  was  quickly  spread  abroad,  and  the  in- 
habitants flocked  to  have  a  view  of  the  assassins  of  the  butcher 
whose  story  had  excited  so  much  commiseration.  I  was  equally 
an  object  of  curiosity  to  them,  and  was  pleased  with  the  present 
opportunity  of  learning  the  opinion  entertained  of  me  at  the  dis- 
tance of  six  leagues  from  Paris.  I  hastened  to  mingle  in  the  crowd 
assembled  before  the  prison,  from  whence  I  could  easily  overhear 
the  most  n  musing  observations  ;  'There  he  is,  that  is  he,'  exclaimed 


430  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

the  spectators,  raising  themselves  on  tip-toe  every  time  the  wicket 
opened  to  allow  ingress  or  egress  to  any  of  my  agents. 

*  Look,  look,  do  you  see  him  ?'  said  one  of  them,  '  that  little  hop 
o'  my  thumb  there,  scarcely  five  feet  high.' 

4  Stuff!  a  shrimp  like  that  !  I  could  put  fifty  such  in  my  pocket.' 

*  Shrimp  as  you  call  him,  he  is  more  than  a  match  for  you  :  he 
is  a  first-rate  boxer,  and  has  a  sort  of  a  back  throw  that  would 
astonish  you.' 

'  All  fudge,  I  dare  say ;  do  you  suppose  he  is  the  only  one  that 
knows  a  good  thing  ?' 

'  No,  no !'  bawled  out  a  second  spectator,  '  this  is  he,  this  tall 
slender  fellow  with  the  red  hair.' 

*  What  a  lath  !'  cried  out  the  next  bystander,  '  why  with  one 
hand  in  my  pocket  I  could  double  him  in  two.'     '  You  could  ?' 
'Yes,  I  could  !' 

1  And  do  you  fancy  that  he  would  allow  you  to  lay  your  fingers 
upon  him  ?  No,  no  !  you  have  mistaken  your  man  ;  he  comes 
sometimes  as  if  meaning  to  speak  amicably  to  one,  and  just  the 
moment  you  least  expect  it,  comes  a  dig  in  the  bread-basket,  or,  as 
he  may  happen  to  prefer,  a  pelt  of  the  conk,  which  will  make  you 
see  fifty  candles  at  once.' 

'  The  gentleman  who  spoke  last  is  perfectly  right,'  said  an  old 
citizen,  eyeing  me  through  his  spectacles  ;  *  this  Vidocq  is  a  most 
extraordinary  character ;  I  have  been  told  that  when  he  wishes  to 
seize  a  man,  he  has  a  certain  blow,  which  once  aimed  never  fails 
to  deprive  the  person  against  whom  it  is  directed  of  all  power  of 
resistance.' 

'  And  I  have  been  told,'  said  a  carman,  joining  in  the  conversa- 
tion, '  that  he  never  goes  without  large  clouts  in  the  soles  of  his 
shoes,  and  whilst  he  is  giving  you  a  punch  of  the  head,  he  breaks 
your  shins  with  a  kick  a  thousand  times  heavier  than  any  horse/ 

'  Mind  where  you  are  walking,  you  great  clodhopper,'  exclaimed 
a  young  girl,  whose  corns  the  clumsy  carman  had  been  most  un- 
ceremoniously stamping  on. 

'  Just  a  little  treat  for  you,  my  pretty  one,'  replied  the  rustic. 
*  Never  mind  trifles  like  that,  you  are  not  quite  killed.     I  dare  say 
if  Vidocq  were  to  give  you  a  gentle  taste  of  the  heel  of  his  boot 
upon  your  favourite  toe  you  might  indeed  call  out.' 

'  Indeed,  I  should  like  to  see  him  dare  to  do  so.' 

1  Ah  !  he  would  spoil  your  dancing,  I  can  promise  you — but  who 
is  that  coming  from  the  prison  ?  look.' 

At  this  instant  I  addressed  the  carman.  '  I  hope,'  said  I,  *  that 
the  sparkling  eyes  of  my  pretty  neighbour  here  would  insure  her 
safe'y  from  Vidocq,  wicked  as  he  may  be.' 

'  Yes,  yes  !'  rejoined  the  carman ;  '  I  believe  he  is  vastly  civil  to 


OPINIONS  ON  VIDOCQ.  431 

the  women.  I  have  been  told  that  he  is  a  merry  fellow  enough 
with  them,  and  bears  an  excellent  reputation.  Although  many  a 
pretty  girl  has  lost  hers  through  the  honour  of  his  good  company.' 
These  words  were  accompanied  by  a  loud  horse-laugh,  in  which 
the  rest  of  the  company  joined. 

'  What  is  the  matter  there  ?  cried  some  who  were  not  sufficiently 
nigh  the  scene  of  action  to  understand  the  cause  of  the  burst  of 
voices  which  assailed  their  ears.  '  Hats  off.' 

*  Do  you  observe  that  man  in  the  wig  ?' 

« Are  those  the  murderers  ?'     '  There  he  is,  there  he  is !' 
« Who  ?  who  ?'     '  Do  not  crowd  so  dreadfully.' 
1  Take  you  hands  off,  you  blackguard.' 
'  Knock  him  down  !  down  with  him  !' 

*  How  wrong  of  females  to  risk  their  lives  by  coming  to  a  scene 
like  this.' 

1  Here,  climb  up  on  my  shoulder.' 

*  Down  there,  you  are  not  made  of  glass.' 

*  Are  they  all  mad  to  make  such  a  noise  ?' 

'  Oh,  it  is  nobody,  after  all — only  a  guardsman.' 

*  Are  any  of  the  spies  amongst  them  ?' 

*  Spies  ?    Yes,  four,  I  have  been  told.' 

By  the  time  these  different  exclamations  were  ended,  the  flux 
and  reflux  of  the  multitude  had  borne  me  away  to  the  midst  of  a 
fresh  group,  where  a  dozen  gossips  were  busily  conversing  of  me  in 
the  following  manner : 

FIRST  GOSSIP.  (This  speaker  appeared,  by  his  silvery  locks,  of 
venerable  age.)  'Yes,  sir,  he  was  condemned  to  the  galleys  for  a 
hundred  and  one  years — commuted  from  sentence  of  death.' 

SECOND  GOSSIP.  '  A  hundred  and  one  years  !  bless  me,  why  that 
is  more  than  an  age  !' 

AN  OLD  WOMAN.  '  The  Lord  be  good  unto  me,  what  is  that  you 
favoured  me  by  saying  ?  A  hundred  and  one  years  !  indeed,  as  the 
other  gentleman  observed,  that  is  rather  more  than  a  day  !' 

THIRD  GOSSIP.  *  No,  no  ;  something  more  than  a  day,  indeed ; 
upon  my  credit,  a  tolerably  long  lease  of  it.' 

FOURTH  GOSSIP.  '  And  so  he  had  committed  murder,  had  he  ?' 

FIFTH  GOSSIP.  *  Why,  did  not  you  know  that  ?  bless  you,  he  is 
a  villain  loaded  with  every  sort  of  crime ;  he  has  been  guilty  of 
every  enormity  by  turns,  each  of  which  has  merited  the  guillotine; 
but  he  is  a  deep  rascal,  and  has  managed  to  keep  his  head  on  his 
shoulders,  to  the  surprise  of  everyone.' 

ANOTHER  GOSSIP.  (In  what  order  his  speech  was  made  I  do  not 
now  remember ;  I  recollect  only  that  he  was  dressed  in  black,  and 
from  the  style  of  his  dress  and  hair  I  concluded  him  to  be  one  of 
the  churchwardens  of  the  parish.) 


4.32  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

THE  FLEUR  DE  Lis.  '  No,  better  still !  I  am  informed  by  my 
friend,  the  commissary,  that  this  Vidocq  always  accustoms  himself 
to  wear  a  ring  round  his  leg — is  it  not  strange?' 

MYSELF.  '  Come,  do  not  seek  to  gammon  us  with  your  stories 
of  rings.  Do  you  suppose  we  could  not  perceive  it,  if  it  were  worn 
as  you  say  ?' 

THE  GOSSIP  IN  BLACK  (gravely).  c  No,  sir,  you  could  not  see 
it ;  in  the  first  place,  you  are  not  to  imagine  it  an  iron  ring  of  four 
or  five  pounds  weight.  No,  it  is  a  golden  ring,  as  light  as  possible, 
and  nearly  imperceptible.  Ah  !  indeed,  if  like  me  he  wore  short 
knee-breeches,  you  would  soon  discover  it ;  but  those  trousers 
hide  everything. — Trousers  indeed  !  an  absurd  fashion.  We  may 
thank  the  revolution  for  that  introduction,  as  well  as  for  cropped 
heads — hair  a  la  Titus  as  they  term  it,  which  no  longer  leave  it 
possible  to  discover  a  gentleman  from  one  who  has  tugged  at  the 
galleys.  I  only  ask  you,  gentlemen,  whether,  if  this  Vidocq  were 
to  introduce  himself  amongst  you,  you  would  feel  particularly 
flattered  by  his  company  ?' 

'  Pray,'  asked  the  old  woman  who  had  before  spoken,  '  is  it  true 
that  he  was  publicly  branded  ?' 

*  Certainly,  madam ;  that,  too,  with  a  red-hot  iron  on  both  shoul- 
ders. I  will  answer  for  it  that  if  he  were  stripped,  you  would  read 
the  mark  in  all  its  brightness.' 

A  gendarme,  who  had  been  seeking  me  amongst  the  spectators, 
approached  me,  and,  gently  touching  my  shoulder,  said,  *M.  Vidocq, 
the  king's  solicitor  has  been  inquiring  for  you,  and  wishes  to  see 
you  immediately.'  It  was  really  ludicrous  to  see  how  every  coun- 
tenance changed  at  these  words.  '  What !  can  it  be  Vidocq  ?' 
exclaimed  my  late  audience,  with  lengthened  faces.  '  Vidocq  ! 
Vidocq !'  shouted  out  others,  and  immediately  all  was  fighting, 
struggling,  and  confusion,  to  endeavour  to  force  a  passage  for  the 
eager  looks  of  those  who  were  not  sufficiently  near  to  gratify  their 
eye-sight  with  a  view  of  the  so  much  coveted  monster,  for  such 
they  certainly  expected  to  find  me.  Some  even  climbed  on  the 
shoulders  of  their  neighbours,  to  satisfy  themselves  as  to  whether  I 
really  was  a  human  creature  or  not ;  of  this  I  had  convincing  proofs 
by  the  following  flying  remarks  which  reached  my  ears:  '  Bless  me! 
light  complexion  !  I  fancied  him  quite  dark.  I  heard  he  was  ill- 
looking.  I  see  nothing  so  very  ugly  about  him.  What  a  strange 
manner  of  walking  he  has  !' 

These  and  similar  observations  were  made  by  the  crowd,  whose 
sole  interest  now  seemed  centred  in  noting  down  every  particular 
relative  to  my  personal  appearance.  So  great  was  the  concourse  of 
ga::ers,  that  I  had  much  difficulty  in  forcing  my  way  along  to  the 
procureur.  This  magistrate  wished  me  to  conduct  the  accused 


THE  ASSASSINS  AND  THEIR  VICTIM.  433 

persons  before  the  interrogating  judge.  Court,  whom  I  first  led 
thither,  appeared  intimidated  at  finding  himself  in  the  presence  of 
so  many  persons  ;  I  exhorted  him  to  keep  up  his  courage,  and  to 
confirm  his  confessions.  This  he  did  without  any  great  difficulty, 
as  far  as  related  to  the  assassination  of  the  butcher ;  but  when 
questioned  on  the  subject  of  the  poulterer,  he  retracted  all  his  pre- 
vious declarations,  and  it  was  impossible  to  lead  him  to  confess  that 
he  had  had  any  other  accomplices  than  Raoul.  This  latter,  when 
introduced  into  the  chamber,  unhesitatingly  confirmed  every  fact 
mentioned  in  the  prods  verbal,  which  had  been  drawn  up  after  his 
arrest.  He  related  in  full  detail,  and  with  the  most  imperturbable 
sangfroid,  all  that  had  passed  between  the  unfortunate  Fontaine 
and  his  murderers,  up  to  the  moment  of  his  striking  the  first  blow 
at  his  victim. 

'The  man,'  said  he,  '  was  only  stunned  by  the  two  blows  he  re- 
ceived from  a  stick  ;  when  I  saw  that  they  had  not  sufficed  to  bring 
him  to  the  ground,  I  drew  near,  as  if  to  support  him,  holding  in 
my  hand  the  knife  which  is  lying  upon  that  table ;'  pronouncing 
these  words,  he  sprang  towards  the  desk,  abruptly  seized  the 
instrument  of  his  crime,  made  two  steps  backwards,  and  rolling  his 
eyes,  sparkling  with  fury,  he  assumed  a  menacing  attitude.  This 
movement,  which  was  wholly  unexpected,  filled  with  terror  all  who 
were  present ;  the  sous  prefet  was  nearly  fainting,  and  I  myself 
underwent  some  alarm.  Nevertheless,  I  felt  the  necessity  of  con- 
cealing from  Raoul  the  effect  he  had  produced,  and  I  even  sought 
to  attribute  his  violent  gestures  to  a  good  motive.  *  Gentlemen  !' 
cried  I,  smiling,  '  what  is  it  you  fear  ?  Raoul  is  incapable  of  acting 
like  a  coward,  and  abusing  the  confidence  reposed  in  him ;  he 
merely  took  up  the  knife  the  better  to  explain  his  share  in  the 
business.' — '  Thanks,  M.  Jules  !'  cried  he,  delighted  with  my  ex- 
planation, and  quietly  laying  down  the  knife  on  the  table,  he  added, 
*  I  only  wished  to  show  you  how  I  made  use  of  it.' 

To  complete  the  preliminaries,  it  only  remained  to  confront  the 
accused  with  Fontaine ;  the  surgeon  was  applied  to,  to  ascertain 
whether  the  sick  man  was  sufficiently  recovered  to  bear  so  trying  a 
scene,  and  he  having  replied  in  the  affirmative,  Court  and  Raoul 
were  taken  to  the  hospital.  Introduced  into  the  apartment  occu- 
pied by  the  butcher,  their  eyes  eagerly  sought  their  victim.  Fon- 
taine, with  his  head  and  face  nearly  covered  with  bandages,  and 
his  whole  person  wrapped  in  linen  cloths,  was  indeed  scarcely  to 
be  recognised  ;  but  beside  him  were  displayed  the  clothes  and  shirt 
worn  by  him  on  the  night  he  was  so  cruelly  assaulted.  *  Ah !  poor 
Fontaine !'  cried  Court,  falling  on  his  knees  at  the  foot  of  the  bed, 
decorated  by  these  bloody  trophies;  'forgive  the  miserable  wretches 

28 


434  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

who  have  reduced  you  to  this  condition  ;  that  you  still  survive  is  a 
striking  interposition  of  Providence,  who  has  been  pleased  to  pre- 
serve you  the  better  to  punish  us  as  our  crimes  deserve.' 

Whilst  he  was  expressing  himself  thus,  Raoul,  who  had  likewise 
knelt  down,  preserved  a  deep  silence,  and  appeared  plunged  in  the 
deepest  affliction. 

*  Stand  up,  both  of  you,  and  look  the  sick  man  in  the  face,'  said 
the  judge  who  accompanied  them.     They  rose  up. 

'  Take  those  murderers  from  my  sight !'  shrieked  Fontaine  ;  'their 
countenances  and  voices  are  but  too  familiar  to  me.' 

This  recognition,  and  the  manner  of  the  culprits,  was  more  than 
sufficient  to  establish  the  fact  of  Court  and  Raoul  having  been  the 
actors  in  this  frightful  tragedy ;  but  I  was  firmly  persuaded  that 
they  had  other  crimes  besides  this  with  which  to  reproach  them- 
selves, and  that,  in  order  to  commit  them,  they  must  have  been 
more  than  two  in  number.  This  was  a  secret  of  the  greatest  im- 
portance. I  determined  to  exert  myself  to  the  utmost  to  come  at 
the  truth,  and  not  to  quit  them  till  I  had  induced  them  to  unload 
their  consciences  by  a  full  confession  of  their  past  misdeeds.  On 
our  return  to  the  prison  after  this  meeting,  I  caused  supper  to  be 
served  for  the  accused  and  myself.  The  porter  inquired  whether 
he  should  place  knives  on  the  table. 

'  Yes,  yes  !'  cried  I ; '  set  knives  to  each  gentleman,  by  all  means.' 

My  two  guests  ate  their  meals  with  as  great  an  appearance  of 
appetite,  as  though  they  had  been  the  most  honest  men  breathing. 
When  they  had  drunk  a  few  glasses  of  wine,  I  dexterously  brought 
back  the  conversation  to  the  subject  of  their  crime. 

'  You  are  not  naturally  bad  fellows,'  said  I  to  them  ;  '  I'll  engage 
that  you  have  been  led  into  all  this  by  some  scoundrel  or  other ; 
why  not  own  it  ?  From  the  confession  and  repentance  you  dis- 
played at  the  sight  of  Fontaine,  it  is  easily  seen  that  you  would 
willingly  recall,  at  the  price  of  your  own  blood,  the  violence  he 
received  at  your  hands.  And  do  you  not  consider  that,  by  con- 
cealing your  accomplices,  you  are  responsible  for  all  the  crimes 
they  may  commit?  Many  persons  who  have  come  forward  to  depose 
against  you,  have  declared  that  you  were  at  least  four  in  number  in 
all  your  expeditions.' 

*  They  were  mistaken  then,'  exclaimed  Raoul ;  *  I  give  you  my 
word  of  honour,  M.  Jules,  that  they  were ;  we  were  never  more 
than  three.     The  other  is  an  old  officer  of  the  customs,  named 
Pons  Gerard ;  he  lives  just  on  the  frontier,  in  a  little  village  be- 
tween Capelle  and  Hirson,  in  the  department  of  the  Aisne ;  but 
if  you  think  to  catch  him,  I  must  warn  you  that  he  is  not  to  be 
caught  napping.     He  always  sleeps  with  one  eye  open  whilst  the 
other  is  shut.' 


DENUNCIATION  OF  PONS  G&RARD.  435 

'No  !'  said  Court,  'it  would  be  no  easy  job  to  nab  him,  and  if 
you  do  not  set  your  wits  to  work,  you  will  only  get  your  labour  for 
your  pains/ 

*  Oh,  he  is  a  queer  hand  indeed,'  cried  Raoul ;  '  you  are  no 
bungler  yourself,  M.  Jules,  but  ten  like  you  would  not  frighten  him. 
At  any  rate,  you  must  be  on  your  guard  if  he  gets  scent  of  your 
being  in  search  of  him  ;  he  is  not  far  from  Belgium,  and  will  soon 
be  off;  if  you  surprise  him,  he  will  make  a  desperate  resistance,  so 
try  if  you  cannot  manage  to  take  him  asleep.' 

'  Yes,  if  you  could  find  out  that  he  ever  does  sleep,'  added  Court. 

I  made  strict  inquiries  as  to  the  usual  habits  of  Pons  Gerard, 
and  obtained  a  full  description  both  of  them  and  his  person.  As 
soon  as  I  had  learned  every  particular  requisite  for  being  secure  of 
identifying  my  man,  thinking  to  stamp  the  confession  I  had  just 
elicited  with  all  possible  authenticity,  I  proposed  to  the  two  prisoners 
to  write  off  immediately  for  a  magistrate  to  receive  their  depositions. 
Raoul  instantly  took  up  his  pen,  and  when  his  letter  was  Completed, 
I  carried  the  letter  myself  to  the  king's  solicitor  ;  it  was  conceived 
in  the  following  terms  : 

'  SIR, — Being  now  in  a  frame  of  mind  more  suitable  to  our  un- 
happy condition,  and  resolving  to  profit  by  the  advice  you  bestowed 
upon  us,  we  have  come  to  the  resolution  of  acknowledging  to  you 
every  crime  of  which  we  are  guilty,  and  to  point  out  to  you  a  sharer 
in  them,  whose  name  is  at  present  unknown  to  you.  We  entreat 
of  you,  therefore,  to  have  the  kindness  to  visit  us  in  our  prison,  in 
order  to  receive  our  depositions.' 

The  magistrate  lost  no  time  in  acceding  to  their  request,  and 
Court  as  well  as  Raoul  repeated  before  him  all  that  they  had  pre- 
viously told  me  of  Pons  Gerard. 

This  latter  now  occupied  all  my  thoughts,  and  as  it  would  not 
do  to  allow  him  time  to  learn  the  destruction  of  his  comrade's 
schemes,  I  instantly  obtained  an  order  to  arrest  him. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

A  journey  to  the  frontiers — A  robber — Mother  Bardou — A  feigned  recognition 
— The  false  smuggler — A  brigand  astonished — I  deliver  the  country  from  a 
scourge — Hercules  with  the  skin  of  a  bear. 

DISGUISED  as  a  dealer  in  horses,  I  set  out  with  my  agents  Clement 
and  Goury,  who  passed  for  my  ostlers  :  and  such  was  the  diligence 
used  by  us,  that,  in  spite  of  the  severity  of  the  season  and  the  bad- 
ness of  the  roads  (for  it  was  in  the  midst  of  winter),  we  arrived  at 
La  Capelle  on  the  evening  of  the  following  day,  which  happened, 


436  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOC& 

fortunately  for  my  purpose,  to  be  the  eve  of  a  large  fair.  Having 
traversed  the  country  more  than  once  during  my  military  career,  I 
required  but  a  very  short  time  to  arrange  my  plan  of  action,  and 
to  assume  the  dialect  of  the  place.  All  the  inhabitants  to  whom 
I  spoke  of  Pons  Gerard  described  him  to  me  as  a  robber,  who 
subsisted  only  by  fraud  and  rapine ;  his  very  name  was  sufficient 
to  excite  universal  terror,  and  the  authorities  of  the  place,  although 
daily  furnished  with  proofs  of  his  enormities,  durst  take  no  steps 
to  repress  them.  In  a  word,  he  was  one  of  those  terrible  beings 
who  compel  obedience  from  all  who  surround  them ;  for  my  own 
part,  little  accustomed  to  draw  back  from  a  perilous  enterprise, 
these  particulars  only  stimulated  me  the  more  to  enter  upon  the 
undertaking.  My  vanity  was  piqued  to  accomplish  a  task  which 
appeared  to  vie  in  difficulty  with  the  labours  of  Hercules,  but  did 
I  know  that  success  would  attend  my  arduous  attempt  ?  As  yet  I 
was  ignorant  of  many  essential  points,  but,  trusting  for  the  best,  I 
sat  down  to  breakfast  with  my  agents,  and  when  we  had  sufficiently 
fortified  our  stomachs,  we  set  out  in  search  of  the  hardened  ac- 
complice of  Court  and  Raoul.  These  latter  had  pointed  out  to 
me  a  lone  auberge  as  the  favourite  haunt  of  Pons.  This  house  was 
the  rendezvous  of  a  nest  of  smugglers,  and  the  woman  who  kept 
it,  considering  Pons  as  one  of  her  best  customers,  felt  great  interest 
in  all  that  concerned  him.  So  well  had  this  auberge  been  described 
to  me,  that  I  required  no  further  directions  to  find  it;  I  therefore 
repaired  thither  with  my  two  companions,  and  entering,  seated 
myself  without  any  ceremony,  assuming  the  tone  and  manner  of 
one  well  used  to  the  ways  of  the  house. 

*  Good  day  to  you,  Mother  Bardou,  how  goes  all  with  you  ?' 

'  The  same  to  you,  my  good  friends,  and  many  of  them.  You 
are  welcome  to  my  poor  »place ;  thank  God,  we  are  all  pretty  com- 
fortable, thanks  for  your  inquiry.  What  would  you  please  to  have, 
gentlemen  ?' 

'  Dinner,  dinner  !  my  good  soul ;  we  are  starving  with  hunger.' 

'  You  shall  have  it  directly,  sirs ;  please  to  step  into  the  next 
room,  where  you  will  find  a  good  fire.' 

Whilst  she  was  employed  in  laying  the  cloth,  I  drew  her  into  the 
following  conversation  :  '  I  begin  to  fancy,  my  good  hostess,  that 
you  have  forgotten  my  features.' 

1  Wait  a  little  till  1  have  time  to  look  well  at  you.' 

1  Why,  what  a  memory  you  must  have,  to  forget  how  I  used  to 
come  with  Pons  to  your  house  last  winter !  many  a  time  have  we 
paid  you  a  moonshine  visit.' 

1  Bless  me  !  now  I  begin  to  recollect* 

'To  be  sure  you  do,  look  again.' 

*  Oh  !  now  I  remember  you  perfectly.' 


THE  A  UBERGE.  437 

'  Well,  how  is  our  jolly  cove  Ge"rard,  how  is  he  getting  on  ?  quite 
strong  and  hearty,  eh  ?' 

'  I'faith  is  he,  he  was  here  only  this  morning,  and  took  a  glass  or 
two  on  his  way  to  Lamare  house,  where  he  had  employment.' 

Of  this  house,  or  of  its  situation,  I  was  utterly  ignorant ;  never- 
theless, as  I  had  given  myself  out  as  a  person  well  acquainted  with 
the  neighbourhood,  I  was  careful  not  to  betray  myself  by  risking 
any  inquiry.  Still  I  trusted  that,  without  directly  asking  the  ques- 
tion, I  should  be  enabled  to  lead  my  voluble  friend,  by  indirect 
means,  to  the  point  at  which  I  wished  to  arrive.  Accident  favoured 
me,  for  scarcely  had  we  swallowed  a  few  mouthfuls  of  our  dinner, 
than  Mother  Bardou  entered  the  room.  'You  were  talking  of 
Gerard  just  now,'  said  she,  *  his  daughter  has  just  called  in.' 

'  Indeed  !  which  of  the  daughters  ?' — *  The  youngest' 

I  rose  immediately,  and  running  up  to  the  child,  embraced  her 
before  she  had  time  even  to  look  at  me  ;  and  rapidly  naming  each 
member  of  her  family,  made  many  and  warm  inquiries  after  their 
health.  When  she  had  replied  to  them,  I  cut  short  the  parley  by 
giving  her  a  trifle  of  money,  and  recommending  her  to  hasten 
home,  whither  I  would  accompany  her,  as  I  was  extremely  anxious 
to  present  myself  to  her  excellent  mother ;  beckoning  to  my  com- 
panions, we  left  the  house,  following  the  footsteps  of  our  little 
guide,  who,  surprised  at  the  novelty  of  the  rencontre,  was  making 
with  all  speed  for  the  dwelling  of  her  mother.  No  sooner,  how- 
ever, had  we  got  out  of  sight  of  the  auberge,  than  I  called  to  the 
girl,  '  Hark  ye,  my  little  one,  do  you  know  the  place  they  call 
Lamare  house  ?' — '  It  stands  just  down  there,'  said  she,  pointing 
with  her  finger  to  the  other  side  of  Hirson. 

'  Well,  then,  I'll  tell  you  what  you  shall  do  ;  just  run  on  and  let 
your  mother  know  that  you  have  met  three  particular  friends  of 
your  father,  and  that  we  shall  return  to  sup  with  him.  So  that  she 
may  as  well  have  it  all  ready  for  four  of  us.  That's  right — make 
the  best  of  your  way  ;  good  evening,  my  pretty  maid.' 

The  daughter  of  Gerard  pursued  her  way,  and  we  were  not  slow 
in  following  the  road  she  had  described  to  us,  which  brought  us 
nearly  facing  the  house  we  sought,  but  no  persons  were  to  be  seen 
about,  and  upon  questioning  a  countryman  whom  we  met,  he  in- 
formed us  that  Pons  was  at  work  with  a  number  of  labourers  at  a 
short  distance  from  thence ;  we  proceeded  onwards,  and  having 
gained  an  eminence,  obtained  a  view  of  about  thirty  men  employed 
in  repairing  the  high  road.  Gerard,  by  virtue  of  his  office  of  over- 
seer, was  in  the  midst  of  this  group.  We  advanced  within  fifty 
steps  of  the  workmen,  when  I  made  my  agents  observe  an  individual 
whose  countenance  and  general  appearance  exactly  corresponded 
with  the  description  we  had  received  of  the  ferocious  Pon's;  although 


438  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

we  entertained  no  doubt  of  his  being  the  man,  we  durst  not  attempt 
to  seize  him,  for  should  his  companions  undertake  his  rescue,  we, 
of  course,  should  come  off  but  badly,  and  even  his  single  arm,  when 
impelled  by  the  fear  of  being  taken  prisoner,  might  be  more  than  a 
match  for  my  small  party.  Our  situation  was  embarrassing  enough, 
yet  had  we  displayed  the  least  symptom  of  it,  Gerard  would  either 
have  made  us  pay  dearly  for  our  temerity  in  daring  to  attack  him, 
or  he  would  escape  our  grasp  by  a  hasty  retreat  to  the  frontier. 
Never  had  I  felt  a  greater  need  of  prudence  and  self-possession.  I 
consulted  with  my  agents,  two  firm  and  intrepid  men.  *  Act  as 
you  think  proper,'  said  they,  '  and  rest  assured  of  our  seconding 
you  in  whatever  steps  you  may  take.' 

*  Well  then/  cried  I,  '  follow  me,  and  do  nothing  till  a  fit  oppor- 
tunity arrives ;  and  perhaps  we  may  turn  out  the  more  cunning 
party  of  the  two,  although  the  enemy  may  have  the  advantage  of 
superior  strength.' 

I  walked  directly  up  to  the  individual  whom  I  supposed  to  be 
Gerard,  my  two  companions  keeping  at  a  little  distance.  The 
nearer  I  approached  the  more  assured  did  I  feel  that  I  had  not 
mistaken  my  man  ;  thus  convinced,  and  without  farther  hesitation 
I  hurried  up  to  Pons,  and  embracing  him  with  every  demonstra- 
tion of  regard,  exclaimed,  '  Pons,  my  good  fellow,  how  are  you  ? 
how  is  your  excellent  wife,  and  all  your  family  ?  quite  well,  I  trust  ?' 

Astonished  at  this  unexpected  salutation,  Pons  remained  in 
silent  examination  of  my  face  for  some  minutes  ;  *  Devil  take  me,' 
said  he  at  last,  '  if  I  know  who  or  what  you  are ;  where  the  deuce 
did  you  spring  from  ?' 

'  What !'  said  I,  '  not  recollect  me  ?  am  I  then  indeed  so  much 
altered?' 

'  Not  I,  I  do  not  remember  ever  seeing  you  in  all  my  life  ;  can't 
you  just  tell  me  your  name?  Stay,  now  I  look  again,  I  feel 
certain  that  I  have  met  that  face  of  yours  somewhere  or  other, 
although  where  I  have  seen  you  is  more  than  I  can  tell.' 

*  I  am  a  friend  of  Raoul  and  Court,'  said  I,  whispering  in  his 
ear,  4  and  am  sent  to  you  by  them.' 

*  Ah  !'  cried  he,  pressing  my  hands  warmly  in  both  of  his,  and 
turning  to   the  workmen,    who   were  gazing  in   wonder  at   this 
unexpected  change  of  his  reception  of  me,   *  I  must  have  lost  my 
senses,  I  think,  not  to  remember  one  of  my  best  friends  !     Not  to 
recognise  my  dear  friend !  the  devil  must  have  flown  away  with 
my  memory.     My  dear  fellow,  let  me  embrace  you  ;'  and,  suiting 
the  action  to  the  word,  he  gave  me  such  an  emphatic  hug  as  well 
nigh  stifled  me. 

During  this  scene  my  agents  had  insensibly  advanced  nearer  to' 
the  spot  where  we  stood.  Pons  perceiving  them,  inquired  if  they> 
belonged  to  me.  '  They  are  two  of  my  ostlers,'  said  I. 


PONS  GERARD.  439 

'  I  thought  so,  but  you  must  stand  greatly  in  need  of  refresh- 
ment, and  those  gentlemen  yonder  would,  I  dare  say,  have  no  ob- 
jection to  a  glass  of  something  good ;  what  say  you  ?' 

*  With  all  my  heart.   A  bottle  of  your  best  wine  will  do  us  no  harm.' 

*  Well,  then,  let  us  go  ;  but  in  this  cursed  place,  which  produces 
nothing  but  wolves,  there  is  nothing  to  be  had ;  however,  if  you 
don't  mind  walking  over  to  Hirson  (which,  to  be  sure,  is  a  good 
league  from  hence),  we  shall  get  as  good  a  bottle  of  wine  as  ever 
was  uncorked.' — 'Come  along  then,  let  us  go  to  Hirson.' 

Pons  bade  adieu  to  his  comrades/  and  we  'set  out  together.  As 
we  walked  along  I  could  not  help  confessing  that  the  immense 
strength  of  this  man  did  not  appear  to  have  been  at  all  exagge- 
rated by  Raoul  or  Court ;  he  was  but  of  middling  height,  probably 
not  more  than  five  feet  four  inches  at  the  utmost,  but  square  built, 
and  exhibiting  every  indication  of  muscular  power.  His  swarthy 
face,  embrowned  still  more  by  a  constant  exposure  to  the  sun  and 
wind,  was  distinguished  by  deeply  marked  features,  expressive  of 
energy  and  determination  ;  he  had  enormous  limbs,  and  a  strong, 
sinewy  throat,  in  strict  accordance  with  the  whole  of  his  robust 
frame ;  in  addition  to  this  he  wore  immense  whiskers,  and  a  more 
than  usual  quantity  of  beard ;  his  hands  were  short,  thick,  and 
covered  with  hair,  even  to  the  fingers'  ends ;  his  harsh  and  pitiless 
air  seemed  to  belong  to  a  countenance  which  might  exhibit  a  me- 
chanical relaxation  of  the  risable  muscles,  but  had  never  once 
smiled  from  an  internal  feeling  of  benevolence  or  good-will. 

Whilst  I  was  intently  occupied  in  making  these  observations,  I 
could  perceive  that  Pons  was  regarding  me  with  equal  attention  ; 
at  last,  stopping  suddenly,  as  if  to  take  a  closer  view,  he  exclaimed, 
'  Why  you  really  are  a  very  fine  fellow,  and  fill  out  your  clothes  as 
well  as  I  have  ever  seen  a  man  !  I  think  you  and  I  should  make 
an  excellent  pair,  for  I  am  none  of  the  slightest  figures  any  more 
than  yourself;  not  like  that  little  hop-o'-my-thumb,'  added  he, 
pointing  to  Clement  (who  was  the  smallest  man  amongst  my 
agents) ;  '  why,  I  could  swallow  a  dozen  such  as  he  at  my  breakfast.' 

*  Don't  flatter  yourself,'  said  I ;  *  you  might  not  find  it  so  easy 
a  task  as  you  may  fancy.' — 'Very  possibly,'  replied  he;  'these 
undersized  chaps  are  frequently  all  nerve  and  muscle.' 

After  these  trifling  remarks,  Pons  inquired  after  his  friends.  I 
told  him  that  they  were  quite  well ;  but  that  not  having  seen  him 
since  the  affair  of  Avesnes^  I  had  left  them  very  uneasy  as  to  what 
had  become  of  him.  (The  affair  of  Avesnes  was  a  murder. 
When  I  alluded  to  it,  his  countenance  exhibited  not  the  slightest 
emotion.) 

'  Well,  and  what  brings  you  to  this  part  of  the  country  ?'  asked 
he  ;  '  are  you  after  a  bit  of  moonshine,  eh  ?' 

'You  have  just  hit  it,  my  friend/  said  I.     'My  business  here  is 


440  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ,. 

to  endeavour  to  dispose  of  a  string  of  broken-down  horses,  which 
are  famously  doctored  up  for  taking-in  the  knowing  ones.     Our 
friends  told  me  that  you  could  lend  me  a  helping  hand.' 
'  Ah,  to  be  sure,  you  may  depend  on  me,'  protested  Pons, 
With  this  sort  of  conversation  we  reached  Hirson,  where  we 
halted  at  the  house  of  a  clock-maker  who  sold  wine.     We  were 
soon  placed  round  a  table  ;  our  wine  was  brought,  and,  whilst  we 
were  drinking  it,  I  led  the  conversation  back  to  Court  and  Raoul. 
*  Poor  fellows,'  said  I,  *  I  fear  that  at  this  present  moment  they  are 
very  queerly  situated.' — '  How  so  ?'  asked  he. 

*  Why,  I  did  not  wish  to  tell  you  all  at  once  ;  but  the  fact  is, 
they  are  in  considerable  trouble ;  they  have  been  arrested,  and  I 
greatly  fear  that  they  are  now  in  prison.' — *  On  what  account  ?' 

'  Of  that  I  am  ignorant ;  all  I  know  is,  that  I  was  breakfasting 
with  Court  and  Raoul,  when  the  police  broke  in  upon  us,  and, 
after  closely  interrogating  us  all  three,  they  allowed  me  to  go 
about  my  business.  As  for  our  two  poor  friends,  they  were 
detained  in  solitary  confinement ;  nor  would  you  have  learned  their 
misfortune  had  not  Raoul,  in  returning  from  his  examination, 
managed  to  whisper  a  few  words  to  me  unobserved,  begging  me  to 
warn  you  to  be  on  your  guard,  for  that  they  had  been  closely 
questioned  as  to  their  acquaintance  with  you.  I  cannot  give  you 
any  farther  particulars.' 

*  And  who  arrested  you  ?'  inquired  Pons,  who  seemed  thunder- 
struck at  the  intelligence. — '  Vidocq.' 

4  Oh !  the  scoundrel,  the  scamp  !  But  who  is  this  Vidocq,  of 
whom  we  hear  so  much  ?  I  have  never  been  able  to  meet  him 
face  to  face ;  once  only  I  perceived  him  following  an  individual 
into  the  house  of  Causette.  I  was  told  it  was  him,  but  I  forget  all 
about  him ;  and  I  would  cheerfully  give  half-a-dozen  bottles  of 
wine  to  anyone  who  would  procure  me  a  good  stare  at  him.' 

1  Bless  you,  it  is  easy  enough  to  meet  with  him,'  replied  I ;  '  he 
is  always  about  in  one  place  or  another.' 

1  Well,  I  would  advise  him  to  keep  out  of  my  reach,'  exclaimed 
Pons.  '  If  he  were  here,  I  will  engage  he  would  pass  the  worst 
quarter  of  an  hour  he  ever  experienced  in  his  life.' 

4  Oh  !  you  are  like  all  the  rest  of  them,  talking  of  what  you 
would  do ;  and  yet  if  he  were  before  you  at  this  moment,  you 
would  sit  perfectly  still,  and  be  the  first  to  offer  him  a  glass  of 
wine.'  (At  the  time  I  was  saying  this  I  held  out  my  glass,  which 
he  filled.) 

*  I !  I  offer  him  wine  !  May  a  thousand  devils  seize  me  first  1* 
'  Yes,  you,  I  say,  would  invite  him  to  drink  with  you.' 

'I  tell  you  I  would  die  sooner.' 

*  Then  you  may  die  as  soon  as  you  please,  for  /  am  Vidocq,  and 
I  arrest  you.' 


ARREST  OF  PONS.  441 

'  How,  how  ;  what  is  this  ?' 

'  Yes,  I  arrest  you  !'  and  approaching  my  face  to  his,  '  I  tell  you, 
villain,  I  arrest  you,  you  are  done ;  and  if  you  dare  to  stir  one 
step,  I  will  tweak  off  your  rascally  nose.  Clement,  handcuff  this 
worthy  gentleman.' 

The  astonishment  of  Pons  defies  description.  Every  feature 
appeared  distorted,  his  eyes  starting  from  their  sockets,  his  cheeks 
quivering,  his  teeth  chattered,  and  his  hair  stood  on  end ;  by 
degrees  these  symptoms  of  a  general  convulsion,  which  had  affected 
only  the  upper  part  of  his  frame,  gave  way  to  a  fresh  revulsion  of 
nature.  After  his  arms  were  fastened,  he  remained  for  nearly  half 
an  hour  motionless,  and  as  though  petrified.  His  lips  were  apart, 
and  his  tongue  glued  to  the  palate  of  his  mouth  ;  and  it  was  only 
after  repeated  efforts  that  he  succeeded  in  detaching  it ;  in  vain  his 
parched  and  swollen  tongue  sought  a  moisture,  which  the  dried-up 
lips  were  unable  to  afford,  and  the  countenance  of  the  ruffian  ex- 
hibited alternately  the  pale,  livid,  cadaverous  hues  of  a  corpse ;  at 
last,  recovering  from  his  lethargy,  Pons  articulated  these  words  : — 

'What,  are  you  Vidocq?  ah,  had  I  but  known  it  when  you  first 
spoke  to  me,  I  would  have  rid  the  earth  of  such  a  sneaking 
beggar.' 

'  Well,'  said  I,  '  I  thank  you  all  the  same  for  your  kind  inten- 
tions :  meanwhile,  as  you  have  fallen  into  the  trap,  you  owe  me 
the  six  bottles  of  wine  you  promised  to  whoever  would  show  you 
Vidocq,  and  you  cannot  deny  my  having  done  so.  Another  time 
I  advise  you  not  to  tempt  the  devil.' 

The  gendarmes  who  were  called  in  after  the  arrest  of  Pons 
could  scarcely  credit  their  eyes  ;  during  the  search  we  had  been 
directed  to  make  throughout  his  house,  the  mayor  of  the  place 
begged  to  see  us,  that  he  might  express  his  grateful  sense  of  the 
service  we  had  rendered  to  the  whole  province. 

*  You  have,'  said  he,  'delivered  us  from  a  frightful  scourge,  from 
a  wretch  who  was  our  torment  and  dread.' 

All  the  inhabitants  joined  in  expressing  their  joy  at  the  capture 
of  their  late  foe,  as  well  as  their  astonishment  at  the  ease  with  which 
it  had  been  effected. 

The  search  over,  we  removed  to  sleep  at  La  Capelle.  Pons  was 
closely  handcuffed  to  one  of  my  agents,  who  had  orders  not  to 
quit  him  night  or  day :  at  our  first  halt,  I  caused  him  to  be  un- 
dressed, in  order  to  ascertain  whether  or  not  he  had  any  concealed 
arms  about  him.  When  he  was  stripped,  I  really  doubted  his 
belonging  to  the  human  race ;  the  whole  of  his  body  was  covered 
with  a  thick  bushy  glossy  hair  ;  he  might,  indeed,  have  been  mis- 
tauen  for  the  Hercules  Farnese,  enveloped  in  the  skin  of  a  bear. 

Pons  appeared  perfectly  tranquil,  nor  did  anything  more  than 
common  arise  till  the  following  day,  when  I  ascertained  that,  during 


442  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

the  night,  he  had  eaten  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  pound  of  tobacco. 
I  had,  from  previous  observation,  noticed,  that  men  who  are  greatly 
accustomed  to  the  use  of  either  tobacco  or  snuff,  make  an  immode- 
rate use  of  it  in  times  of  great  peril  or  emergency.  I  knew  well  that 
a  pipe  is  never  more  quickly  consumed  than  when  in  the  hands  of 
a  condemned  criminal,  whether  it  be  immediately  after  receiving 
his  sentence,  or  on  the  eve  of  its  being  put  into  execution  ;  but  I 
had  never  yet  seen  a  prisoner,  situated  as  Pons  was,  introduce 
into  his  stomach  a  substance,  which,  taken  in  so  large  a  quantity, 
might  produce  the  most  fatal  effects.  I  very  much  feared  that  he 
would  suffer  from  his  excess,  and  even  suspected  he  had  committed 
it  in  the  hope  of  its  acting  as  poison.  I  therefore  took  from  him 
what  tobacco  he  had  remaining,  and  gave  orders  that  it  should 
only  be  dealt  out  to  him  in  small  doses,  and  this  on  condition  that 
he  would  engage  only  to  chew  it.  Pons  yielded  with  a  tolerably 
good  grace  to  this  regulation  ;  he  ceased  to  devour  his  tobacco, 
although  I  never  had  any  reason  to  suppose  he  had  experienced 
the  slightest  inconvenience  frum  what  he  had  previously  taken. 


CHAPTER  XL, 

A  visit  to  Versailles — Resignation — A  criminal's  agony — Sleep  of  a  murderer 
— New  converts — They  invite  me  to  witness  their  execution — Reflections  on 
a  gold  box — The  fatal  hour — The  Carline — The  crucifixes — I  embrace  two 
death's-heads — Spirit  of  vengeance — A  last  adieu — Eternity. 

I  RETURNED  directly  to  Paris,  and  then  proceeded  with  Pons  to 
Versailles,  where  Court  and  Raoul  were  confined;  immediately 
upon  my  arrival  I  went  to  see  them. 

4  Well,'  said  I  to  them,  'our  man  is  taken  !' — 'You  have  caught 
him  !'  exclaimed  Court,  '  so  much  the  better.' — '  But,'  inquired 
Raoul,  *  tell  us  how  you  managed  to  cage  him,  you  must  have  had 
a  fine  business  to  tame  so  fierce  a  creature.' — '  He  fierce  !'  said  I, 
'  on  the  contrary,  he  has  been  as  gentle  as  a  lamb.' — '  What,  did  he 
make  no  defence  ?  ha  !  ha  !  Raoul,  do  you  hear  that  ?  he  did  not 
even  defend  himself !' — *  The  particulars  you  gave  me  of  him,'  said 
I,  '  were  not  thrown  away  upon  me  ' — Before  quitting  Versailles,  I 
wished  to  show  my  sense  of  the  kindness  of  the  prisoners  in  thus 
aiding  me  in  the  capture  of  the  ferocious  Pons,  and,  accordingly, 
invited  them  to  dine  with  me.  My  invitation  was  accepted  with 
the  most  lively  satisfaction,  and  during  the  remainder  of  the  time 
we  passed  together,  not  the  least  gloom  or  sadness  could  be  ob- 
served on  their  countenances  ;  they  appeared  entirely  resigned  to 
their  fate,  and  even  their  language  seemed  to  have  undergone 
some  change,  indicative  of  better  feelings  having  resumed  their 
empire  over  their  minds. — '  It  must  be  confessed,  my  friend,'  said 
Court,  '  that  we  were  following  a  rascally  trade.' — *  Oh  1'  returned 


A  CRIMINALS  AGONY.  443 

the  other,  '  do  not  mention  it ;  it  makes  no  one  rich  in  the  end  but 
the  executioner.' — 'And  that  is  not  the  worst  part  of  it — to  be  in 
continual  misery  from  constant  alarm — never  to  know  one 
moment's  tranquillity — to  tremble  at  the  sight  of  a  stranger.' 

'  True,  indeed  !  I  used  to  fancy  I  saw  spies  or  disguised  gen- 
darmes in  all  who  approached  me,  and  the  least  noise,  nay,  my 
own  shadow,  would  sometimes  frighten  me  out  of  my  senses.' 

'And,  for  my  part,  if  I  perceived  myself  an  object  of  notice  to 
any  person,  I  instantly  supposed  he  was  taking  down  the  descrip- 
tion of  my  person,  and  the  blood  would  rush  to  my  face  with  such 
impetuosity  as  to  suffuse  my  eyeballs  with  a  guilty  blush.' 

'  Little  indeed  are  the  pangs  of  remorse  and  the  terrors  of  a 
guilty  conscience  guessed  by  those  who  are  innocent  of  crime  ;  for 
my  own  part,  rather  than  endure  them  as  I  have  done  for  years 
past,  I  would  blow  out  my  brains.' 

*  I  have  two  children,  but  if  I  thought  they  were  likely  to  tread 
in  the  steps  of  their  unhappy  father,  I  would  implore  of  their 
mother  to  strangle  them.' 

'  Ah,  my  friend  !  had  we  but  employed  half  the  care  and  reflec- 
tion in  doing  well  it  has  cost  us  to  prosecute  our  wicked  schemes, 
we  might  now  be  enjoying  a  very  different  lot,  and  anticipating  far 
brighter  prospects  than  those  before  us.' 

*  Well,  well  !  'tis  useless  repining,  I  suppose  it  was  our  fate.' 

*  Don't  tell  me  that,  there  is  no  such  thing  as  fate ;  we  are  the 
workers  of  our  own  destinies,  depend  upon  it ;  and  I  do  not  seek 
such  a  weak  excuse  for  my  crimes ;  no,  I  acknowledge  that  to  a 
love  of  bad  company  alone  I  may  attribute  my  being  the  wretch  I 
am  :  do  you  not  remember  how,  after  every  fresh  act  of  wicked- 
ness, I  sought  to  drown  the  whispers  of  a  reproachful  conscience 
by  drunken  excess?     I  felt  as  though  the  weight  of  a  mountain 
were  upon  me,  and  had  I  swallowed  gallons  it  would  have  been 
insufficient  to  remove  it.' 

'  And,  for  my  part,  I  used  to  feel  as  though  I  had  a  hot  iron 
gnawing  my  very  vitals  ;  if  I  fell  into  a  short  sleep,  a  thousand 
devils  seemed  dancing  around  me  ;  sometimes  I  fancied  myself 
discovered  in  clothes  dyed  in  blood,  burying  the  corpse  of  a 
victim  ;  or  stopped  whilst  in  the  act  of  conveying  it  away  on  my 
shoulders :  shuddering  I  have  awoke,  bathed  in  perspiration, 
wrung  from  me  by  the  horrid  visions  of  my  tortured  spirit ;  drops 
of  agony,  which  might  have  been  gathered  in  spoonfuls,  stood  upon 
my  aching  brow ;  in  vain  have  I  sought  my  pillow,  which  seemed 
filled  with  thorns,  even  the  pressure  of  my  nightcap  has  appeared 
to  my  throbbing  brain  like  the  sharp  points  of  an  iron  band,  which 
drove  its  ru.sged  teeth  through  my  temples.' — 'Ah  !  I  know  well 
what  all  this  is,  I  have  felt  as  though  a  thousand  needles  were 
piercing  every  nerve.' — *  Possibly  what  you  have  described  may 


444  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

be  what  is  generally  styled  remorse/ — '  Remorse  or  not,  it  has  been 
a  fiery  torment— a  torment,  M.  Jules,  which  I  am  weary  of ; — I  can 
bear  it  no  longer,  and  it  is  time  to  end  my  misery.  Some  persons 
might  owe  you  a  grudge  for  the  part  you  have  acted  towards  us, 
but  for  my  part  I  consider  that  you  have  done  us  a  service  ;  what 
say  you,  Raoul  ?' — *  Since  our  confession,  I  feel  as  though  I  were 
in  Paradise  in  comparison  to  my  former  sufferings.  I  know  that 
we  have  a  trying  scene  to  go  through,  but  our  poor  victims  suffered 
as  much  at  our  hands,  and  it  is  but  fair  that  we  should  serve  as 
examples  to  others.' 

At  the  moment  of  separating  from  them,  Raoul  and  Court 
begged  of  me  to  do  them  the  kindness  to  come  and  see  them 
directly  they  had  received  their  sentence  ;  this  I  promised,  and  I 
kept  my  word.  Two  days  after  they  had  been  condemned  to 
death,  I  went  to  them.  When  I  entered  their  dungeon,  they  both 
uttered  a  cry  of  joy,  and  made  its  gloomy  walls  echo  with  the  joy- 
ful welcome  of  their  '  liberator,'  as  they  termed  me.  They  assured 
me  that  my  visit  afforded  them  the  greatest  pleasure  that  they  were 
capable  of  receiving,  and  entreated  me  to  bestow  on  them  one 
friendly  embrace,  in  token  of  my  forgiveness  of  their  past,  and  satis- 
faction at  their  present  conduct.  I  had  not  the  heart  to  refuse 
them.  They  were  fastened  to  a  camp  bed,  with  their  hands  and 
feet  heavily  fettered.  I  advanced  towards  them,  and  they  pressed 
me  in  their  arms  with  all  the  warmth  and  enthusiasm  with  which 
the  sincerest  friends  would  welcome  each  other  after  a  long  separa- 
tion. A  friend  of  mine,  who  was  present  at  this  interview,  ex- 
perienced considerable  alarm  at  seeing  me  in  a  manner  entirely  at 
the  mercy  of  two  assassins. 

'Fear  nothing,'  said  I.  —  'No,  no/  exclaimed  Raoul,  'fear 
nothing,  there  is  little  chance  of  our  wishing  to  injure  our  good 
friend  M.  Jules.' — ' M.  Jules!'  cried  Court,  'no,  indeed,  he  is  our 
only  friend  j  and  what  is  more,  he  does  not  forsake  us  now !' 

As  I  was  leaving  them,  I  perceived  two  small  books  lying  beside 
them,  one  of  which  was  half  open,  and  was  entitled  '  Christian 
Meditations.' 

'  You  have  been  reading,  my  friends,'  said  I ;  '  is  religion  a 
favourite  study  with  you  ?' — '  Oh  no,'  said  Raoul,  *  I  know  very 
little  about  it ;  these  books  were  left  us  this  morning  by  a  clergy- 
man who  has  been  to  visit  us.  I  have  just  opened  them,  and  cer- 
tainly if  people  would  follow  the  precepts  they  contain,  the  world 
would  be  better  than  it  now  is.' — '  Yes,  so  I  think,'  said  Court,  '  I 
am  beginning  to  see  that  religion  is  not  such  a  humbug  as  I  once 
thought  it ;  depend  upon  it,  we  were  not  sent  into  the  world  to  live 
and  die  like  brutes.' — I  congratulated  the  new  converts  upon  the 
happy  change  which  had  taken  place  in  them. — '  Who  would  have 
thought,  two  months  back,'  resumed  Court,  '  that  I  should  suffer 


THE  SNUFF-BOX.  445 

myself  tobe  noodled  by  apriest !' — '  And  you  know,'  rejoined  Raoul, 
'  my  contempt  for  them  and  their  sermons,  but  when  men  stand  in 
our  present  awful  extremity,  it  becomes  them  to  look  well  about 
them ;  not  that  death  alarms  me  ;  I  care  as  little  for  it  as  I  do  for 
this  cup  of  water.  You  will  see  whether  I  dread  merely  leaving  this 
world,  M.  Jules.' — '  Ah  yes  !'  said  Court  to  me,  *  you  must  come.' — 
'I  will  do  so,  I  promise  you.' — 'Honour.' — 'I  pledge  you  my  honour 
I  will  be  present' — The  day  appointed  for  the  execution  I  repaired 
to  Versailles;  it  was  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning  when  I  entered  the 
prison  ;  the  two  unhappy  men  were  deeply  engaged  with  their  con- 
fessors. They  no  sooner  perceived  me  than,  precipitately  rising, 
they  approached  me. 

RAOUL  (taking  my  hand).  '  You  do  not  know  what  pleasure  the 
sight  of  you  affords  me,  my  friend  ;  we  were  just  preparing  to  leave 
this  world  with  a  clear  conscience.' 

MYSELF.  *  Pray  do  not  let  me  interfere  with  so  sacred  and  im 
portant  a  duty.' 

COURT.  'You  disturb  us,  M.  Jules  !  surely  you  are  jesting.' 

RAOUL.  '  Our  time  draws  to  a  close,  we  have  but  a  poor  ten 
minutes  before  us.'  (Turning  to  the  ministers.)  *  These  gentle- 
men will  excuse  us.' 

RAOUL'S  CONFESSOR.  '  Proceed,  my  son,  proceed  !' 

COURT.  '  There  are  but  very  few  in  the  world  like  M.  Jules ; 
nevertheless,  he  it  was  who  caged  us — but  that  is  nothing.' 

RAOUL.  '  If  he  had  not  done  so,  some  one  else  would.' 

COURT.  *  Yes,  and  some  person,  in  all  probability,  who  would 
not  have  treated  us  half  so  well.' 

RAOUL.  '  Ah !  M.Jules,  I  shall  never  forget  all  your  kindness  to  me.' 

COURT.  '  No  friend  could  have  done  more.' 

RAOUL.  *  And  to  come  and  witness  the  last  concluding  scene 
into  the  bargain.' 

MYSELF  (offering  him  some  snuff  in  the  hope  of  changing  the 
conversation).  '  Come,  my  friend,  take  a  pinch,  you  will  find  it 
very  good.' 

RAOUL  (taking  a  hearty  pinch).  'Not  so  bad'  (he  sneezes 
several  times) ;  '  this  is  notice  to  quit,  is  it  not,  M.  Jules  ?' 

MYSELF.  '  I  fear  you  may,  indeed,  look  upon  it  as  such.' 

At  this  moment  Raoul  opened  the  box,  which  he  had  taken  into 
his  own  hands,  looked  at  it  attentively,  and  offering  it  to  Court,  in- 
quired his  opinion  of  it.  '  It  is  a  fine  thing  of  the  sort,  is  it  not, 
Court  ?  tell  me  of  what  material  it  is  composed.' 

COURT  (turning  away  and  shuddering).  *  It  is  gold.' 

RAOUL.  '  You  are  right  to  avert  your  eyes  from  the  sight  of  that 
fatal  metal,  which  has  caused  the  ruin  of  man  since  its  first  intro- 
duction ;  alas  !  we  are  melancholy  instances  of  the  pernicious 
effects  it  has  produced.' 


446  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

COURT.  '  To  say  that  for  such  trash  we  should  draw  down  so 
much  trouble  and  suffering  upon  ourselves  ;  how  much  better  had 
we  devoted  our  time  to  honest  labour.  We  had  both  of  us  excellent 
parents ;  what  are  we  now  but  a  disgrace  to  them  and  our  families  ?' 

RAOUL.  '  That  is  not  my  greatest  grief  at  this  awful  moment. 
Think  of  the  gentlemen  whose  weasands  we  have  cut !  the  unfortu- 
nate beings  !  my  heart  bitterly  reproaches  me  for  their  sufferings.' 

COURT  (embracing  him).  '  But  you  sincerely  repent  of  your 
past  offences,  and  are  about  to  pay  with  your  own  life  for  those 
lives  you  have  taken.  "  He  who  sheddeth  man's  blood,  by  man 
shall  his  blood  be  shed."  I  think  that  was  what  the  worthy  father 
here  was  reading  to  me  as  M.  Jules  entered.' 

COURT'S  CONFESSOR.  'Come,  my  children,  time  is  hastening  on.* 

RAOUL.  *  'Tis  all  in  vain ;  the  Supreme  Being  (if  there  really  be 
one)  can  never  pardon  such  guilty  wretches  as  we  are.' 

COURT'S  CONFESSOR.  '  God's  mercy  is  inexhaustible.  Jesus 
Christ  dying  on  the  cross  interceded  with  His  Father  for  the 
penitent  thief 

COURT.  *  May  He  be  pleased  to  intercede  for  us  likewise.' 

ONE  OF  THE  CONFESSORS.  'Raise  your  soul  to  God,  my  children, 
prostrate  yourself  in  humble  prayer  before  him.' 

The  two  sufferers  looked  at  me  as  if  to  discover  what  they  ought 
to  do.  They  appeared  to  fear  my  ridiculing  any  devotional  feel- 
ings as  the  result  of  cowardice  or  weakness. 

MYSELF.  '  Let  no  false  shame  prevent  your  obeying  the  reverend 
father.' 

RAOUL  (to  his  comrade).  *  My  friend,  let  us  recommend  our 
souls  to  our  Maker.' 

Both  Raoul  and  Court  kneeled  down,  and  remained  for  about 
a  quarter  of  an  hour  in  that  position.  They  seemed  rather  col- 
lected than  absorbed.  The  clock  struck  half-past  eleven ;  they 
looked  at  each  other,  and  both  speaking  together,  exclaimed  :  'In 
half  an  hour  it  will  be  all  over  with  us.'  As  they  pronounced  these 
words  they  rose;  I  saw  that  they  wished  to  speak  with  me,  I  there- 
fore drew  aside,  and  they  approached  me.  '  M.  Jules,'  said  Court, 
*  we  would  beg  a  last  favour  in  addition  to  those  we  already  owe  you.' 

'  What  is  it  ?  depend  upon  my  readiness  to  perform  whatever 
you  may  require.' 

'  We  have  each  of  us  a  wife  in  Paris. — My  kind  wife  !  the 
thought  of  her  breaks  my  heart — it  overcomes  me  !'  Tears  filled 
his  eyes,  his  voice  became  inarticulate,  and  he  could  not  proceed. 

'  Come,  Court,'  said  Raoul,  '  what  is  the  matter  with  you  ? 
Come,  never  play  the  baby ,  after  all,  you  astonish  me  !  can  you 
be  the  brave  fellow  I  took  you  for  ?  Have  not  I  a  wife  as  well  as 
you  ?  Come,  my  boy,  courage,  courage  !' 

'  'Tis  over  now,'  resumed  Court ;  '  what  I  had  to  say  to  M. 


PARTING  WITH  COURT  AND  RAOUL.  447 

Jules  was  respecting  some  commissions  we  would  fain  intrust  him 
with  for  our  poor  widows.' 

I  pledged  my  word  for  the  exact  fulfilment  of  their  desires  ;  and 
when  they  had  made  known  their  wishes,  I  renewed  the  assurance 
of  their  being  strictly  performed. 

RAOUL.  *I  was  quite  sure  that  you  would  not  refuse  us.' 

COURT.  'Ah,  M.  Jules,  how  can  we  hope  to  repay  your  kindness?' 

RAOUL.  '  If  what  our  ghostly  friend  here  asserts  be  true,  we 
shall  meet  in  another  and  a  better  world.' 

MYSELF.  *  I  trust  so ;  and  sooner  perhaps  than  we  at  present 
ihink  for.' 

COURT.  « Ah,  'tis  a  journey  that  must  be  taken  sooner  or  later. 
We  are  upon  the  eve  of  our  departure.' 

RAOUL.  *  M.  Jules,  is  your  watch  correct  ?' 

MYSELF.  'I  believe  it  is  too  fast'     (I  drew  it  from  my  pocket.) 

RAOUL.  *  Let  us  see— twelve  o'clock.' 

COURT.  '  The  hour  for  our  execution ;  heavens  !  how  the  time 
gallops  on  1* 

RAOUL.  'Look,  the  large  hand  is  just  about  to  overtake  the 
small  one !  We  shall  never  be  weary  of  talking  with  you,  M. 
Jules,  but  still  we  must  part.  Here,  take  these  prattlers,  we  have 
no  farther  need  of  them.'  (The  prattlers  were  the  books  I  have 
before  described.) 

COURT.  *  And  these  two  crucifixes,  take  them  also  ;  they  will  at 
least  serve  to  remind  you  of  us.' 

A  noise  of  carriages  was  heard,  the  two  culprits  turned  pale. 

RAOUL.  *  It  is  a  wise  plan  to  repent  of  our  sins,  but  what  if  I 
determine  to  die  game  ? — No  ;  let  me  not  turn  bravado,  as  many 
have  done,  but  meet  my  fate  with  the  courage  of  a  man,  and  the 
resignation  of  a  sinner.' 

COURT.  *  Well  said,  my  friend,  let  us  be  firm,  yet  contrite.' 

The  executioner  arrived  at  the  moment  for  ascending  the  fatal 
cart,  and  the  sufferers  bade  me  adieu. 

1  You  have  just  embraced  two  death's-heads,'  said  Raoul,  as  he 
followed  his  friend 

The  procession  moved  on  towards  the  place  of  punishment. 
Raoul  and  Court  were  intently  listening  to  their  confessor,  when, 
all  at  once,  I  saw  them  start ; — a  voice,  never  to  be  forgotten,  had 
struck  upon  their  ear ;  it  was  that  of  Fontaine,  who,  recovered 
from  his  wounds,  had  mingled  with  the  spectators ;  animated  by 
the  spirit  of  vengeance,  he  abandoned  himself  to  the  most  ferocious 
expressions  of  joy.  Raoul  recognised  him,  and  casting  a  look  to- 
wards me,  full  of  contempt  and  pity  for  the  unmanly  exultation 
displayed  by  the  man  to  whom  he  was  making  all  the  atonement 
in  his  power,  he  seemed  to  express  that  the  presence  of  Fontaine 
wa"  unpleasant  and  painful  to  him.  As  the  vindictive  butcher  had 


448  MEMOIRS  OF  VIDOCQ. 

taken  his  station  close  by  me,  I  lost  not  an  instant  in  compelling 
him  to  withdraw,  and  by  a  slight  movement  of  the  head,  both 
Raoul  and  his  companion  testified  their  grateful  sense  of  this  atten- 
tion to  their  wishes. 

Court  was  first  executed ;  even  when  he  had  ascended  the  scaf- 
fold his  eye  sought  mine,  as  if  to  inquire  whether  I  was  satisfied 
with  him.  Raoul  displayed  equal  firmness ;  he  was  in  the  very 
prime  of  life ;  twice  did  his  head  rebound  upon  the  fatal  plank, 
and  the  blood  spirted  out  with  so  much  violence  as  to  cover  the 
spectators  even  at  the  distance  of  twenty  paces  : 

Such  was  the  end  of  these  two  men,  whose  villainy  was  less  the 
effect  of  natural  depravity  than  the  consequence  of  having  asso- 
ciated with  dissolute  characters,  who  in  the  very  bosom  of  society 
form  a  distinct  race,  possessing  their  own  principles,  virtues,  and 
vices.  Raoul  was  only  thirty-eight  years  of  age,  tall,  active,  agile, 
and  vigorous ;  his  eyebrows  were  high  and  arched,  his  eyes  small, 
lively  and  of  a  sparkling  black ;  his  forehead,  without  being  de- 
pressed, retreated  backwards  a  little,  and  his  ears,  which  stood  out 
from  his  head,  appeared  as  though  grafted  upon  two  protube- 
rances, like  the  generality  of  the  Italians,  whom  he  likewise 
resembled  in  the  olive  tint  of  his  complexion.  Court  possessed 
one  of  those  countenances  which  defy  the  rules  of  physiognomy  ; 
he  had  a  half-squint  with  one  eye,  and  the  whole  of  his  features 
could  be  said  to  boast  of  neither  a  good  nor  a  bad  expression ; 
unless  the  sharp  angles  and  projecting  cheek  bones  might  be  con- 
strued into  an  indication  of  ferocity.  Probably  these  symptoms 
of  a  bloodthirsty  disposition  had  developed  themselves  through 
the  constant  murders  and  other  atrocious  acts  in  which  he  was 
constantly  engaged.  Court  was  forty-five  years  of  age,  and  from 
his  youth  had  been  continually  involved  in  guilty  courses  : — to 
have  gone  on  so  long  with  impunity  must  have  required  a  more 
than  ordinary  supply  of  boldness  and  cunning.  The  commissions 
entrusted  to  me  by  the  two  murderers  were  of  a  nature  to  prove 
that  their  hearts  were  yet  accessible  to  good  feeling.  I  discharged 
them  with  punctuality ;  as  to  the  presents  which  they  made  me,  I 
have  preserved  them,  and  can  still  show  the  books  and  the  two 
crucifixes.  Pons  Gerard,  whom  it  was  impossible  to  convict  of 
the  murder,  was  sentenced  to  perpetual  hard  labour. 


THE  END. 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 
LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


LD  21A-50m-8,'57 
(C8481slO)476B 


.  General  Library 

University  of  California 

Berkeley 


YB  07829 


